BUJUMBURA, January 3rd (ABP) – On the sidelines of the thanksgiving prayer crusade organised by the Presidential family, the Burundian Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye, held a dialogue with young Burundians in the Bujumbura Mayorship in the early hours of Monday 30 December 2024. The dialogue focused on patriotism.
In his address, the Head of State made it clear that a leader must set an example in the community from an early age, stressing that the age between 17 and 48 is the age of production, and that if someone misses that opportunity, he or she will fail for life. From the age of 50 onwards, we are in the retirement age, where each person eats what they have sought during their youth. He invited young Burundians to make the most of their youth by working hard from an early age.
He also called on young people to do good in society and to promote peace and security, to pray and to be faithful.
Drawing on the scriptures of the Bible, the Head of State asked young people to follow the example of Joseph in Egypt, who set an example by displaying dignified behaviour in Pharaoh’s court and was eventually promoted.
The Head of State also encouraged the young leaders to work hard and set a good example for others. He asked them to carry out innovative projects, especially in the mining sector, so that Burundi could invest more in that sector and sell its minerals outside the country.
To that end, the President of the Republic thanked the PAEEJ for its support for young Burundians by helping them to create their own projects.
After the dialogue with young people, the Head of State spoke to administrative and religious leaders about patriotism.
He began by reminding them that 2025 would be a year of work and development for the country. There will be no room for a lazy leader or any lazy person.
With that in mind, he asked the leaders to be exemplary in the payment of taxes, because ‘when you pay taxes, you develop the country’, he explained.
He also urged them to respect working hours, as those who fail to do so will be punished by law.
The Head of State also asked the religious leaders present to continue to pray for the country to remain safe.
Addressing the crowd in the afternoon, the Head of State said that that prayer was being organised at a time when God was blessing the country, as 2024 was the year when Burundians held many positions in sub-regional organisations.
He also pointed out that the whole world recognises Burundi as a good destination country that has successfully organised international conferences that have helped to improve its good image on a global scale.
Referring to the book of Exodus chapter 28 verses 19 to 23, where Moses drew advice from his father-in-law on how to govern the people of Israel, Apostle Kevin Sibomana pointed out that a good leader must be simple, flexible and accessible to those he leads.
Bishop Sibomana therefore called on the leaders to support the Head of State’s national vision, so that Burundi will indeed be an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060.
He also called on them to respect their leaders and support the country’s development activities.