Mugera : the Catholic Church wants free elections and calls on Burundians to avoid exclusion

The Catholic Church in Burundi remains concerned about the organization of free, transparent and democratic elections, announced Mgr Bonaventure Nahimana, Archbishop of Gitega on Thursday. This was on the sidelines of the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Mugera sanctuary in central Burundi. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Mgr Bonaventure Nahimana called on Burundian citizens to avoid provocation during the upcoming 2025 elections and hate messages while responding to the elections to “fulfil your civic duties”.

The prelate said that the Catholic Church remains concerned about the holding of free, inclusive, transparent and democratic elections.

The Archbishop of Gitega has asked the commission in charge of organizing elections, CENI, to be independent.

The Catholic Church in Burundi says it has started to raise awareness among its faithful and Burundians with a view to peaceful elections.

“Through awareness sessions for young people in our dioceses throughout the country, we have already started to tell them to avoid exclusion, to advocate truth and justice, the foundation of peace,” he said.

Burundian leaders are called upon to uphold human rights, especially during the upcoming elections.

“For its part, the Catholic Church in Burundi will continue to remind Burundians to put forward love of neighbor, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and social cohesion.”

On August 15, several Burundian authorities including President Évariste Ndayishimiye and Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza traveled to Mugera. For the first time since his early accession to power in June 2020 following the unexpected death of Pierre Nkurunziza, his predecessor, Mr. Ndayishimiye did not speak.