Commemorations in Burundi
“Let’s redouble our efforts in peace building” was the theme of the International Day of Peace 2007 in Burundi. President Pierre Nkurunziza, both Vice Presidents, four ministers, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi Youssef Mahmoud, many chiefs of UN agencies and several diplomats opened an exhibit of drawings done by children and reproduced on the walls of the entrance to UNICEF. Then the officials and about 100 other cyclists undertook a 12 kilometer bicycle ride around the capital Bujumbura.
The main ceremony was held
in the Louis Rwagasore stadium
in Bujumbura.
This was followed by a ceremony in the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium. After observing a minute of silence for world peace, President Nkurunziza appealed in his speech to the Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People-National
Liberation Force (Palipehutu-FNL) of Agathon Rwasa to renew the dialogue to implement the ceasefire. He said that there are still people in his country which have not yet buried the hatchet. They should join the Burundians who want peace to rebuild the country. The consolidation of peace had to be undertaken without exception, he emphasized. The Head of State praised the efforts of the United Nations, the African Union, the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi and the international community and asked that they remain along the borders of Burundi in this stage of peace consolidation, because without peace there will be no development in the country.
He also appealed to those civilians who still carry weapons illegally to turn them in as soon as possible. With only 10,000 arms handed over, the total disarmament of civilians is a long way off, the president estimated.
For Youssef Mahmoud, peace is the essence of the UN’s mission in Burundi (BINUB). “In Burundi, we work for the consolidation of peace, which is hard work, because the consolidation of peace calls on everyone,” he stressed. “Together for the consolidation of peace”, is BINUB’s slogan, he said.
“Together we work for democratic governance and for reform of the security sector; together we work for the respect and defense of human rights, and the fight against impunity; and we work for economic reconstruction and development.” It is BINUB’s wish that all weapons turn absolutely silent in Burundi, he concluded.
Drawings of children were reproduced
on walls near the UNICEF entrance.
The children also shared a message for the International Day of Peace: They asked for the implementation of the cease-fire by the government and the Palipehutu-FNL and that politicians enter into dialogue.
The ceremony, organized by the UN Information Centre Bujumbura in association with the UN Communications Group-Burundi; the Ministry of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender; the Ministry of Sports and Youth as well as representatives of civil society, ended with prizes for the children’s drawings on the theme of peace.