BUJUMBURA, January 3rd (ABP) – On the occasion of the New Year 2025, the President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, addressed a message to the nation on December 31, 2024, in which he greeted Burundians and wished them every success in their activities throughout the year 2025, before announcing the measures taken for the effective implementation of the vision of Burundi, an emerging country in 2040 and a developed country in 2060. President Ndayishimiye congratulated the citizens working in various sectors, who had given their all to ensure that the country would be peaceful and change its image in terms of development. In particular, he congratulated all those who stood out for promoting the agricultural sector, which enabled the year to come to an end without the hunger of previous years.
He revealed that the year 2024, now drawing to a close, had been a year in which much had been learned about economic issues, and that the lessons learned would be a benchmark for the year 2025 in the implementation of the new reform aimed at achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
Criticizing the behaviour of some citizens who consume without producing anything, Ndayishimiye took the opportunity to congratulate Burundians and foreigners zealous in favour of their self-development and the development of the country, more particularly young people and women for their bravery in development work.
He congratulated the young city-dwellers, explaining that they had already understood that life does not depend on the jobs granted to them by the State, but rather on activities that increase production.
He pointed out that the year 2025, named “A year dedicated to the courageous person” under the theme “Every Burundian, do what it takes for Burundi to achieve its vision of a developed country” (Murundi wese, gira ico ukoze kugira ngo Uburundi bushike kw’ihangiro ry’igihugu giteye imbere) constitutes a landmark year and the start of the implementation of Burundi’s vision of an emerging country in 2040 and a developed country in 2060.
In his view, the developed country is characterized by total economic freedom, peace and security, well-being for the population in terms of food and housing, good health and intelligence, while the country itself must have a suitable place in the concert of nations.
To achieve that, he said, we need a change in behaviour, obedience, avoiding laziness, building the rule of law, avoiding impartiality, as well as administrative reform to have leaders worthy of the name, capable of showing their charges the path to follow and the tasks to accomplish.
In view of the above, he called on Burundians to be vigilant, especially during that period when the country is preparing for the forthcoming elections, by turning a deaf ear to liars and voting for the right leaders.
He also deplored the fact that some citizens were complaining that Burundi’s currency had been devalued, even though they had not carried out any income-generating activities throughout the year. He stressed that to know the value of the currency, it is necessary to evaluate exports.
With a view to boosting the country’s economy, President Ndayishimiye winked at the tax collectors, encouraging them to redouble their efforts in that mission, because, he continued, they would be remunerated on the basis of the amount of money collected. He added that every effort will be made to track down those who arrogate to themselves the right to use public funds for their own interests.
Once again, he encouraged Burundians to take up income-generating activities in addition to their remunerative occupations, especially as a means of protecting themselves against all the challenges that may be encountered once a contract is terminated or terminated.
Throughout the year 2025, Burundi’s number one pointed out that we will be promoting the mineral processing sector in order to have exports that will help the country to be endowed with quality infrastructures and sufficient electricity, not forgetting environmental protection. “Protecting the environment means loving the land and the country,” he explained, pointing out that we won’t tire of raising people’s awareness of the need to trace contours and plant trees and grasses on river banks.
President Ndayishimiye went on to call on all Burundians to work together to produce enough, as our ancestors did.
To that end, he announced four measures to be taken to ensure the country’s progress towards development. First and foremost, as usual, is the consolidation of peace and security. “Anyone who tries to disrupt security will be considered an enemy of the country and will be punished accordingly,” he warned.
Secondly, the fight against corruption and economic embezzlement. “Those who have made a habit of doing so will be dismissed, punished, will pay the amount collected or embezzled immediately, and the State will no longer put its trust in them,” he insisted.
Thirdly, President Ndayishimiye revealed that citizens who hide their money at home instead of depositing it in banks, banks that do not transmit true reports to the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), those who do not pay taxes under the pen of their authority, will be considered enemies of the country’s development and recalcitrants, and will be exemplarily punished.
Lastly, he revealed that anyone caught concealing commercial products for speculative stock, or raising prices on any pretext whatsoever, would have their right to trade withdrawn, and would be severely punished.
To that end, he has asked the Ministry of Trade to carry out immediate studies, which will help to set benchmark prices and profits for commercial products on the country’s markets.
“At the end of the year, there will be a general introspection to choose a braver person, with a view to rewarding him or her publicly,” concluded the President of the Republic.