Rumonge: economic activities paralyzed, the population forced to welcome the torch of peace

This Thursday morning, no economic activity was undertaken in the town center of the province of Rumonge (southwest Burundi). The central market of Rumonge was closed by administration authorities as well as all the shops and stores at the urban center of Rumonge especially those located along the RN3 (National road number three) Bujumbura-Rumonge-Makamba. Police and Imbonerakure (members of the CNDD-FDD party youth league) had been mobilized since the morning. They prevented residents from going about their business in order to force them to go and welcome the torch of peace. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The procession of the peace torch arrived in the town of Rumonge this Wednesday afternoon.

All administration authorities, heads of public and private services were invited to go to the banks of the river Nyengwe this Wednesday to welcome the torch.

According to an administration source contacted on Thursday, it will continue its caravan to other districts in the province of Rumonge.

The population of the urban center of Rumonge regrets having been deprived of any economic activity before the passing of this torch.

The majority of the inhabitants of this city bordering Lake Tanganyika live from trade.

This time, school activities were not suspended unlike other years when students and their teachers were forced to participate in welcoming the peace torch.
Pupils remained in their schools as well as their teachers.

The peace torch, which is in its 16th edition, is touring Burundi from November 2 to November 12. This year, its tour was organized under the theme “Serving well Burundi in the management of public affairs”.

Normally, the torch of peace is accompanied by a team that explores the whole country. It is welcomed by local authorities who organize gatherings in order to give massages to participants, especially members of the ruling party and their friends. In some localities, administration and police authorities force people to take part in these gatherings. In others, people go there of their own free will, but state officials are forced to go so as not to be seen as “rebellious or insubordinate”.