BUJUMBURA, February 14th (ABP) – The president of the national council of “Bashingantahe” Adrien Sibomana proceeded, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, to the opening of an extraordinary session of the national council of Bashingantahe, with a view to re-launching the activities of the Bashingantahe, on the values of Ubuntu and Ubushingantahe, and to raise their awareness of their place in society.
Sibomana said that this session aims to make contacts, review the activities of a Mushingantahe, choose new leaders in this institution, following retirements. This session also aimed to build the capacities amid the Bashingantahe on their tasks.
He recalled that among the responsibilities of a Mushingantahe are arbitration, conflict resolution within families and communities without resorting to violence but privileging negotiation and reconciliation, rendering justice impartially, being an intermediary between the population and the authorities.
Concerning the village notables, he specified that their role is mainly based on social, economic and sometimes political status, which differs from the “Mushingantahe” a power based on justice, reconciliation and social cohesion.
Concerning the place of the Umushingantahe in Burundian society and tradition, Sibomana mentioned that it remains central as a guarantor of justice, truth and social harmony. He is a model of wisdom and integrity, ensuring cohesion and peace in the community, he insisted.