- Title: BURUNDI: Celebration of peace and ethnic diversity on 'Unity Day'
- Date: 6th February 2009
- Summary: BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI (FEBRUARY 5, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NATIONAL UNITY MONUMENT AND FLAG OF BURUNDI UNITY FLAG SIGN READING 5-2-1991 ON THE UNITY MONUMENT BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI (FILE - DECEMBER 4, 2008) ( REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PIERRE NKURUNZIZA, BURUNDI'S PRESIDENT AND AGATHON RWASA, LEADER OF FNL (FORCES FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION) SIGNING A PEACE DEAL NKURUNZIZA AND RWAS
- Embargoed: 21st February 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Burundi
- Country: Burundi
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA6KSTB1GG66EC7PHTOETJVNY2J
- Story Text: People in Bujumburu, Burundi's capital marked "Unity Day"
on Thursday (February 5).
It's been 18 years since Burundi voted in a referendum to abolish ethnic hated and the creation of a new constitution.
About 88 percent of the people who voted did so in favour, so the then president, Pierre Buyoya, declared that February 5 would be known as "Unity Day" from then on.
This year's ceremony is particularly poignant as it comes after a long-awaited peace deal.
Burundi's government, which is controlled by the National Counsel for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD) and the last active rebel movement Forces for National Liberation (FNL), signed a deal to end all hostilities on December 4, 2008.
Burundi's leaders, past and present, gathered at Bujumbura's "Peace Monument", which was erected on the same day in 1992.
Sandrine Irankunda, who is a vendor, said the day is particularly special as real change can be seen among the Burundian people.
"I can see that things have changed compared to the last few years, because there were divisions between Burundians. But now, there is more unity," said Irankunda.
For Richard Manirakiza, a driver, the days of ethnic hatred among Burundians are over, because they can now rise above the politics.
"The more time passes, the more we can see that our leaders have been lying to us. They use us for their own gain, but our eyes are now wide open. So the more the people are aware of what's going on, the more they won't be able to lie to us and use us for their own gain," said Manirakiza.
But for many Burundians, this day was no different from others, as they went about their daily activities.
"Ethnic hate between people has reduced, that's the only thing I can say that has changed, but otherwise, we still have the same problems," businesswoman Abiba Nduwimana said.
Although certain elements in the peace deal between the FNL and the CNDD are still contentious, such as the integration of FNL members into the government, many hope that this year will mark the end of conflict and instability. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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