Bujumbura, 1 July 2013
Today in Bujumbura, President Kagame joined President Nkurunziza and hundreds of Burundians gathered for their 51st Independence Day celebrations.
The ceremony which took place on the Boulevard de l’Uprona was also attended by President Kenyatta and officials from across the region.
Giving his keynote address, President Nkurunziza called on a change of mindset and for all Burundians to strive for unity:
“We were created to live in unity and we must work together to ensure that our legacy to future generation is a brighter Burundi.”
Addressing those present, President Kagame reiterated the intention to continue close cooperation among the two nations:
“We are more than neighbors, we are brothers and sisters and we will continue to work together and help each other move forward.
In line with regional cooperation, President Kenyatta donated over thirty thousand tiles for the building of schools.
The celebrations which were marked by performances by world renowned Burundian drummers, parade of private and public sectors as well as military parade ended with a luncheon hosted by President Nkurunziza and attended by President Kagame and President Kenyatta.