Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye: “We have not yet adhered to the values of democracy.”

Guests of honor during the launch of the conference

“Burundi is in the learning phase of democracy. We have not yet understood the values of democracy notably the respect for human rights and the opinion of the other, keeping one’s promise and complying with existing institutions. That is the reason why we are facing various crises,” said Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye, in an international conference on the Role of Ombudsmen / mediators and religious leaders in the prevention of identity and religious conflicts organized from 27 to 30 September in Bujumbura.

For him, there must be people who can prevent these crises by providing advice and good examples of peaceful cohabitation. “The fact that we are attending this international conference from various religions is an opportunity to show that difference is wealth”, he said.

Evariste Ndayishimiye, the secretary general of the ruling party CNDD-FDD said his party still supports people who seek to consolidate peace in Burundi. “If they have come together to prevent ethnic and religious conflicts, we should encourage them as we seek to avoid any conflict whatsoever in the world”.
The role of religious leaders in peace-building is very important. They stabilize the minds of their followers.

“Their role is crucial as they can eradicate hatred and jealousy in our communities through evangelization”, he says. For Ndayishimiye, anyone needs to live in peace and security and get involved in peace consolidation.
The Burundian Ombudsman Mohamed Rukara has expressed his concern to revive the conscience of the main actors in peace-building and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“Religious leaders are mass mobilizers and well-placed to meet their faithful for the sake of promoting the ideals of peace, tolerance, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence between people, a sine qua non for a comprehensive and sustainable development”, he said.