“Amendment to Constitution is God’s will,” said Burundi President

While launching the campaign for the referendum this Wednesday May 2nd in Bitare zone of Bugendana commune in Gitega central province, Pierre Nkuruziza, President of Burundi, appealed to the population to vote for the Constitution as it is God’s will.

The campaign for the May 17 referendum by CNDD FDD party was launched in Bugendana commune of Gitega central province by President Pierre Nkurunziza

Dressed in CNDD FDD party uniforms, thousands of the party followers were gathered in Bitare during the launch of the campaign of the referendum which is due to take place on May 17. Different authorities of the country, namely the president, his second deputy, MPs, ministers… were present in the ceremonies.
“The amendment to the constitution is the will of the population, which according to experts is the will of God,” said Pierre Nkurunziza, President of Burundi.

He said whoever will dare oppose the constitution will be dealt with by God. “He who will try to get in the way of the constitutional referendum will be dealt with by God,” he said.

President Pierre Nkurunziza called on the population to listen to everyone and vote what they want. “Listen to all whether those who call on you to vote for the Constitution or those who invite you to vote against it, if of course there are. But make a personal choice when it comes to voting,” he said.
Evariste Ndayishimiye, Secretary General of CNDD FDD party has called on the population to vote for the referendum as it is for their own interests: “Voting for this referendum means refusing oppression and arrogance of foreigners,” he said.

He said the former Constitution was adopted based on Arusha Peace Agreement because the country was in war time. “Now that the country is peaceful, the Constitution has to be changed,” he said.

He said members of the opposition still focus on the dialogue because they want to ignore the population’s will. “Opponents are used to governments resulting from dialogue. CNDD FDD party values the population and their opinions, the reason why it seeks to build a government based on the population’s will in the new Constitution,” he said.

Before closing the ceremonies, Burundi President has thanked those who came to support the launch of the campaign especially representatives of Tanzania, DRC, Romania, Angola, South Africa and Nigeria.