Burundi: the Archbishop of Gitega calls on the CNDD-FDD and Burundian authorities to promote the respect for human rights

The ruling party in Burundi has organized a three-day prayer since Thursday in the political capital Gitega. It is the Archbishop of Gitega Monsignor Bonaventure Nahimana who read the opening mass of the ceremony. He asked representatives of the CNDD-FDD and Burundian authorities from this party to “preach by example” and promote the respect for human rights. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The crusade is part of a series of crusades and prayers organized by the ruling party each year. The theme of the current rite is : “Based on the trust that God has placed in us, uphold the rights of every citizen”.

For the Archbishop of Gitega, CNDD-FDD officials must back up their words with actions.

“[…] our faith must manifest itself in our daily actions. The respect and honor that we give to Almighty God is manifested in the respect and honor that we reserve for the human being, created in his image. I invite you to meditate on your interesting theme. Rights of each citizen must be respected in the economic, social, judicial and political fields without distinction of his origins, his ethnicity, his political party…”, insisted the prelate.

Monsignor Nahimana also talked to Burundian authorities, in the presence of the Head of State.

“Representatives of the population and authorities should reinforce this culture of respect for others. Each person must enjoy their rights. They must have access to food, housing, education, health care, at work…”, he listed.

And he continued, “The life of each citizen must be respected and protected. This requires the setting up of a power that respects the life of each citizen, human rights, which promotes justice for all”.

At Saint Francis Parish located in the town of Gitega, President Neva did not preach as usual. The Vatican has put an end to speeches of authorities in churches.

In the afternoon, CNDD-FDD activists, their supporters and guests met at Gitega airfield. President Évariste Ndayishimiye came back to a fact that haunts him : corrupt, greedy and irresponsible authorities.

According to him, they should “give up their aprons”.

The ceremony is to be closed this Saturday in the town of Gitega. The next day, a congress of the former Hutu rebellion, which came to power in 2005 thanks to the August 2000 Arusha peace and reconciliation agreement is planned.

The minister in charge of foreign affairs invited diplomats accredited to Burundi to take part in this congress.