Burundi: A New Beginning

The Republic of Burundi is small country in the heart of Africa. It gained its independence in 1962 and became a republic in 1966. Its population is about 11.8 million and most of them are Christians.

There are 3 ethnic groups in Burundi:

– Hutu (85%)

– Tutsi (14%)

– Twa (1%)

Most African countries have suffered from the ghost of civil wars and armed conflicts because they only lead to more poverty and famine. The civil war in Burundi lasted from 1993 to 2005 between the Hutu and the Tutsi. Children aged 7 to 16 have been used by both sides in that war. It resulted in the death of about 300,000. The civil war stopped in 2005 and Pierre Nkurunziza came to power. His government has been accused of corruption and violence. He died on June 8, 2020.

General Évariste Ndayishimiye won the elections by a big majority and was in office on June 18, 2020. It is a fresh start for Burundi so let’s hope that people there can live in peace.

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world so people there deserve any help from whoever finds it in their heart to do so. There is nobody greater than a person who gives to other people in need and that is what being human really means.

My message to the people of Burundi is: “You are starting a new era so try as hard as you can to live in peace for your sake and your children’s sake. Build a great nation. Build a great future”.