The country soaked into a socio-economic crisis for decades as the country ranked among poorest countries relying solely on foreign aid.
As Burundi was marking the 61st anniversary of its independence on Saturday, July 1, 2023, Burundian President, Evariste Ndayishimiye said that Burundi is not yet economically independent.
The number one Burundian called on all patriots to mind celebrating 61st anniversary of independence at the same time thinking the reason why Burundi is still ranked among the world’s poorest countries.
“Genuine independence is still impossible since the country is not yet economically independent”, said Evariste Ndayishimiye.
He asked Burundians to redouble their efforts in terms of economic growth.
The head of state evoked that Burundi was a developed and rich country before the arrival of colonizers. He took the opportunity to ask them to help construct Gitega, the political capital as they [colonizers] had been occupying it for years . He added that they [Germans] would at least put a memorial sign which portrays what happened.
He said: ” It had better be helped by Germans to build this city to be dedicated to them as the first arrivals.
“I am not begging. Let’s unite together and build our country”, he added.
However, the president of a national corruption watchdog (OLUCUME), on Friday, a day before the celebration of 61 anniversary evoked 12 tangible facts depicting how Burundi is not yet independent.
During a press conference, Grabriel Rufyiri said that the source of all misfortunes resulted in the assassination of Prince Louis Rwagasore. Since that time Burundi has had a lack of good governance that puts citizens’ interests ahead.
Rufyiri went on saying that It’s terrible that Burundi’s authorities failed to solve their own problems and instead they blame colonization masters.
“It is so sad as we continue accusing colonizers of being the source of not developing,” he added.
In his opinion, he says that the other countries which underwent colonizations are not living in the same conditions as Burundi. He calls on authorities not taking colonization as an excuse.
According to Rufyiri, these are the 12 tangible facts to show Burundi is economically stuck:
- It is so sad to see Burundi being ranked among the world’s top poorest countries since we claim that we are an independent nation.
- It is misunderstandable how Burundi has not had a presidential airplane in 61 years.
- Burundi has not had a presidential residence since independence. It was still rent from the former first Burundi President Michel Micombero
- It is misunderstandable how a country can ask for a loan of 4000 billions to sustain the Government ( consumption budget).
- It is hard to say that Burundi is an independent country since its inhabitants still hesitate where they would find fuel.
- It is misunderstandable how in an independent country, a woman still gives birth to more than 6 children as 61% of youths remain jobless..
- You can’t say that a country is independent while thousands of children are still in streets begging and a small group of people hold a big amount of money. Developpement is still impossible while the country’s importation is at 20% and its exportation is at 80%.
- It is still impossible to say that a country is independent while the administration board within civil societies is still censored by political administration.
- So far the administration board and political leaders still control the sector of justice and general assembly.
- You can’t say that we are independent since we can’t multiply our production of natural resources.
- It is sad to see the misuse of time. Many conferences do not respect time.
- Rich people do not respect the poor. It is observed when car drivers pass into small ways reserved for pedestrians. Moreover they don’t respect traffic lights.
