GITEGA, June 9 (ABP) – Burundi Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca, presided over the commemorative ceremonies of the National Day of Patriotism and the passing of the Burundian Head of State, late Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza, marking the 5th edition, on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The ceremonies took place within the grounds of the site housing the mausoleum of the late President Nkurunziza, built in Gitega Province, the political capital of the country, in the Musinzira neighborhood. High-ranking national figures participated, including the presidents of both houses of Parliament, the former spouses of the late Presidents Pierre Nkurunziza and Melchior Ndadaye, members of Parliament, senior officials, and representatives of religious denominations.
The occasional address was an excerpt from a speech by the late Pierre Nkurunziza. This speech focused on calling upon Burundians to be valiant patriots, following the example of Kings Ntare Rushatsi, founder of Burundi, and Ntare Rugamba, to whom Burundi owes its current borders.
The same speech also urged Burundians to safeguard national sovereignty through political and economic independence, solidarity, love of work, and dignity.
These values were embodied by the late President Nkurunziza, as reflected in his biography.
Earlier, wreaths of flowers were laid at the mausoleum of the late President Nkurunziza, successively by the Burundian Prime Minister, the representative of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited in Burundi, the family of the late President Nkurunziza, and a representative of the CNDD-FDD party.
A memorial prayer was led by Reverend Pastor Olivier Irakoze. In his sermon, he praised the Burundian government for giving God, the Almighty, a prominent place in the constitution. But that alone is not enough, he noted, stressing the importance of aligning actions with spoken commitments. He advised the Burundian people to be marked by goodness in all circumstances, reminding them that after death, one will be rewarded according to what they have produced.
This celebration is usually held on June 8 each year. Its postponement this time was due to the date coinciding with a Sunday, which was also Pentecost.
