Burundi's Road To Recovery - Burundi

August 2008

Burundi's President, Pierre Nkurunziza loves nothing more than taking to the soccer field. He uses these appearances, which inevitably draw large crowds, to push his message of peace and reconciliation.

"We shouldn't hold back on attacking but we shouldn't hurt him," a coach tells his team who are about to play the Haleluya Football Club. The Halelyua team's star player and focus of the coach's remark is none other than Nkurunziza. Burundi's "Football President" believes that the great game can unite the tribal divisions that ravaged his nation. "Soccer in Burundi is very popular and when you come here you see all the people, even the old men, old women, come to watch. It is very important to unite the people." Until four years ago Nkurunziza was a rebel soldier waging a guerilla war against the Tutsi soldiers. In 2005 he was elected President under a deal to end the conflict between the Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebels. Finally a ceasefire seems to be holding. "We can publicly announce that we have ended the war. And the energy we were using to fight and to flee, will now be used to mend the hearts of the people of Burundi and to develop our country," exclaims Nkurunziza. The government has promised universal health care and free primary education. Yet in a nation where money is sparse, everyone is called in to help and the President is setting the example.

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

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• president
• pierre
• nkurunziza
• haleluya
• football
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[ISEEKTRUTH1]

Let us not forget that not so long ago people came to Africa crying "For God and King" and they wrecked havoc on the continent and forever changed our destiny. It never fails to amaze me that so many people in Africa still seek to solve the problems brought by those foreigners using the same things that caused the problems in the first place! We worship the God they brought us, we govern ourselves using the same systems that they used to destroy us and we even call ourselves by their names!

[Xaymaicana]

wow...interesting. its sad that black ppl world wide go through such hardships but its our natural sense of pride and resilience (hope i spelled that right lol) that makes us strong ppl.

[BARRYMILLAR99]

@Xaymaicana i'm open minded to the woes of the world's people and that is so true, and such a graceful quality that nobody in the world can take away! :)

[burundichick]

This video was rather...informative...and these commits were...insightful. Burundi needs unity first of all.It needs its own people to contribute to a peaceful restoration. It shuldnt matter where you are but you if you classify yourself an umurundi then where is your contribution? what are you doing to help your home? Religion and politics? Im personally christian but I feel as if everyone should practice what they truely believe as long as prosecution is not involved. I want my home to heal!

[muscel09]

I have to say that The ENGLISH isn't his strongest, stick to Kirundi, and anyone who thinks thi guy will take our country far is blinded by the fake lifestyle he leads. I believe that god has chosen one person to save burundi and it is not him, tutsi or hutu, woman or man, someone will rule the country better them all, one day!

[Papillonmuscogee]

Peace, progress, and prosperity for Burundi.

[jeannshi]

iyo akavuga ikirundi naho au lieu yo kutubwira ivyongereza birwaye. ryari tuzokwikurako ubukoroni bwindimi zabazugu

[jeannshi]

@scaran3 playing soccer isn't an issue for I think exercise is good for health and not knowing french is inconsequential.However, I concur with you that there is lack of leadership and vision and this for the last 48 years

[jeannshi]

@jordanforli

I am hutu and I can attest that there are Tutsi that are capable or ruling the country and make it prosper.

All we need is the rule of law and just society.

[Xaymaicana]

Yes...thats right I am a proud Jamaican woman. I've dated African men before, they can be arseholes (like all men) but one thing i cannot deny, they're beautiful.