Courtesy Call Between H.E. Gamaliel Nkurunziza, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi & Hon. Jan Anthonie Bruijn, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

During our visit, we explained the current political by putting particular stress on security and the 2020 elections in Burundi. In addition, we exchanged on the relations between Burundi, the Netherlands and the European Union on the one hand, and between Burundi and the Region of the Large Lakes on the other hand.

After explaining to him that peace and security is a reality throughout Burundi, which allows the population to go for their daily activities in all the hills of the country, we insisted on political alternation at the top, initiated by party CNDD FDD, and this is a historical act of highest democratic value. Evidently, it is the first time in Burundi to see alternation on the top of the political party on Power. Indeed, on January 26th the CNDD-FDD EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS resulted in the peaceful election of Mr Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE as their candidate to the presidential election. Mr EvaristeNDAYISHIMIYE is believed to be the right candidate for the party and for the country for many reasons: he is a man of integrity who promotes unity, justice and development. His strong professional experience as a Minister of Interior, as Chief of the Office of the President and as Secretary-General of the Ruling Party, all this increased his skills and knowledge to rule efficiently the country.

Coming back to elections, we reminded that the 2020 elections in Burundi will be more peaceful, more transparent and more inclusive. The increasing number of candidates justifies it. Indeed, for the first time since the coming of the democratic era in has never happened before. That was the result of the legal and organizational framework that the Government established. Indeed, the Electoral Code and its structures of coordination and executions on all the levels are established, as well as a consensual Roadmap between the political parties for 2020 have been put in place.

We also indicated the electoral process is progressing smoothly and successfully while the allocated budget is available since that budget was financed by Burundians themselves, another historical event in Burundi history. As far as relations between Burundi, the Netherlands and European Union concerned, whereas we appreciated the co-operation and friendly relations which exist happily between Burundi and the Netherlands, we asked for the contribution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands so that the European Union removes all the sanctions which were taken wrongfully against Burundi and to support our country in order to implement our National development plan (PND 2018-2027). Burundi is a country full of opportunities in a varied range of domains, we need investors to come to Burundi and work together on a win-win basis.

Indeed, the motivations of these sanctions are unjust in the way that the elements referred to by the European Union are wrong comparatively to the real situation on the ground in Burundi, because the respect of Human rights, Good Governance, Freedom of Expression, democratic values and political space are but a reality. In light of this positive evolution, we solicited the EU again to stop these unilateral and unjust sanctions of which the needy population is the victim. We also asked the Netherlands in particular and the EU in general to reconsider their view on the security in Burundi. The 2015 events should not be their references anymore and Burundi should be removed from the UN Agenda.

Concerning our relationships within the Great Lakes Region, we explained to him that Burundi lives in perfect harmony with all the countries of the region except with Rwanda. We deplored this situation of Rwanda in conflict with all the countries of the region including its neighbouring Burundi. Rwanda continues to destabilize us by setting up of social media to destabilize Burundi and to show panic within the Burundian population. Finally, this audience was also an opportunity to exchange on our domestic and external policies for our common interests.