Political parties and civil society organizations have expressed differing views on Burundi’s National Patriotism Day, marked on June 8 to commemorate the late President Pierre Nkurunziza, as President Évariste Ndayishimiye criticized what he described as a lack of patriotic consciousness among some public officials.
The opposition National Congress for Liberty (CNL) accused authorities of conflating patriotism with loyalty to the ruling CNDD-FDD party. CNL spokesperson Terence Manirambona said opposition supporters are often portrayed as lacking love for their country simply because they do not belong to the ruling party.
“No one can fail to love their homeland,” Manirambona said, arguing that some public officials promote exclusion by equating support for the ruling party with patriotism despite Burundi’s multiparty political system.
He said the annual commemoration should serve as an opportunity to address factors undermining national unity, including political exclusion, the continued presence of refugees abroad, alleged political detentions, and failures to uphold the rule of law.
The opposition APDR party offered a more positive assessment, praising ordinary citizens for maintaining social cohesion despite mounting economic hardships. However, APDR Chairperson Gabriel Banzawitonde criticized some public officials for prioritizing personal and family interests over public service.
“If citizens remain committed to peace and security despite socio-economic challenges, that demonstrates patriotism,” he said, while calling on authorities to better serve the public.
Civil society organization ALUCHOTO painted a bleaker picture, arguing that patriotism remains weak as national resources are controlled by a small group while much of the population struggles to access basic necessities.
The group’s national coordinator Vianney Ndayisaba also denounced what he described as widespread nepotism and corruption in public recruitment, saying appointments are often based on connections rather than competence.
The Burundian Civil Society Platform (PISC-Burundi) said Patriotism Day should be marked by concrete development initiatives rather than symbolic declarations. Spokesperson Hamza Venant Burikukiye urged citizens and officials alike to contribute to national development and combat corruption and misuse of public funds.
This year’s commemoration in Gitega, Burundi’s political capital and the burial site of Nkurunziza, was marked by a wreath-laying ceremony by the former president’s family, followed by a civic education session led by President Ndayishimiye.
Addressing public officials, Ndayishimiye called for improved planning, responsible management of public resources, and greater responsiveness to citizens’ needs, describing such conduct as a true expression of patriotism.
“A leader must be a man of solutions and have a vision for his country,” he said.
The president nevertheless acknowledged shortcomings among some leaders, arguing that Burundi’s development is being hindered not by a lack of natural resources but by a lack of civic and patriotic consciousness.
“If all leaders were driven by this spirit, Burundi could be transformed within five years,” Ndayishimiye said.
Patriotism Day was established by a June 2021 decree that designates June 8 as a national day of patriotism and grants Nkurunziza the title of “Supreme Guide of Patriotism.”
A former rebel leader, Pierre Nkurunziza served as Burundi’s president from 2005 until his death from what authorities said was a cardiac arrest on June 8, 2020, at the age of 56. He died shortly after the Constitutional Court confirmed the victory of CNDD-FDD candidate Évariste Ndayishimiye in the 2020 presidential election, paving the way for the country’s current leadership.
