BUJUMBURA, January 7th (ABP) – The CNDD-FDD party secretary general Révérien Ndikuriyo held a press conference on Friday January 3, 2025 at the Nkurunziza Peace Park Complex stadium in Gisenyi (area of the former Makamba province) in the new, enlarged Burunga province, a press conference during which he answered pertinent questions from journalists on the country’s development and economy, relations between Burundi and Rwanda, cohabitation between the ruling party and other authorized political parties in Burundi, and youth.
On the subject of cash crops in Burundi, Ndikuriyo began by recalling that the CNDD-FDD party is committed to taking the lead in promoting export crops that generate foreign currency to help the country purchase imports. To that end, he told the media that the report on the state of avocado and other crops would be presented at the end of April that year.
Answering a question about the ruling party’s position on the closure of borders between Burundi and Rwanda, the CNDD-FDD party secretary general pointed out that each country has its own organization and takes the necessary decisions to resolve existing disputes.
Emphasizing that Rwanda is and will remain a neighbouring country to Burundi, he deplored the fact that that neighbouring country had joined the 2015 putschists while giving them refuge, whereas soldiers are not allowed to cross borders.
He pointed out that Rwanda has been asked to extradite those putschists, but has yet to respond appropriately. “Dialogue is continuing; once the issue is resolved, the borders will be reopened,” he reassured.
Ndikuriyo also expressed his satisfaction at the good relations between Burundi and Tanzania, pointing out that 20 years of peaceful cohabitation along the border between the two countries were recently celebrated in Kigoma. “During those 20 years, there have been no recorded cases of disrupters of the country’s security crossing the border between Burundi and Tanzania,” he revealed.
On the subject of cohabitation between the CNDD-FDD party and the other political parties, Ndikuriyo pointed out that there are no problems and that they work in close collaboration.
Asked why they are investing so much in young people, the ruling party’s General Secretary explained that they want to train young people in patriotic education, so that they grow up with discipline and integrity, as well as the desire to defend the country’s interests, even if it means giving their all to save the lives of others. “Those young people are not just children of Bagumyabanga; that’s why they don’t wear CNDD-FDD party uniforms: they are children of the country,” he clarified.
Regarding the shortage of BRARUDI products, he pointed out that we are aware of the causes of that shortage, reassuring that we will contribute to remedying it. “We are delighted that the population is asking for drinks, an eloquent sign that we have money,” added the general secretary of the ruling party, indicating that if you don’t have money, you can’t ask for them under any circumstances.
As for the implementation of Burundi’s vision of an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060, Ndikuriyo encouraged the population to roll up their sleeves and work hard, as repeatedly stated by the Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye. “If you don’t want to work, don’t eat either,” he insisted.
Given that the year 2025 is dedicated to the bold worker, he urged all Burundians to avoid ligalas, without forgetting to take care of their children’s education, personal hygiene and household hygiene.