Faustin Ndikumana, economic expert says the new Cabinet must establish a priority action plan to achieve its goals. “The government must present, as soon as possible, its half-year plan to explain how it will make change,” he says in a news conference, this July 2. He also says the new Cabinet should assess the current poverty situation to establish the population policy. “The government must know the Burundians’ living conditions,” he says.
Ndikumana also adds that the government must assess the capacity of the state budget compared to its projects. For this, he says, the new Cabinet must eradicate economic embezzlement and corruption and restore the freedom of expression. “Media houses should be allowed to conduct investigations and report all cases of corruption involved in different sectors and leaders should also declare their belongings before starting their daily activities”, he says adding that a state audit should primarily inquire about the institution capacity including the human and material resources.
This economic expert also says the government must also prioritize social cohesion. “Burundian refugees including wanted people must return home and contribute to the country’s development,” he says adding that at least 300,000 Burundians who fled the country would constitute the population of a commune.
While addressing the new Cabinet on June 30, President Evariste Ndayishimiye announced the government priorities namely new preventive measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 infection, improvement of agriculture and livestock as well as public health, empowerment of youths, care of retirees and consolidation of peace and social cohesion.