The President of the Republic His Excellency Évariste NDAYISHIMIYE returned today from Libreville, Capital of Gabon, where he had gone to participate in the summit of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

At his arrival at Melchior NDADAYE International Airport, the President of the Republic was welcomed by members of the Government, senior officers of the police and the army as well as senior officials of the Presidency.

Regarding cooperation between Burundi and Gabon, His Excellency the President indicated that the cooperation links between the two countries are historic and concern various fields including trade, air transport and the exchange of labor.

President NDAYISHIMIYE informed the press that he had the opportunity to meet his Gabonese counterpart to whom he conveyed his thanks for his country’s support to Burundi.

President NDAYISHIMIYE insisted on the central role played by the former President of Gabon, the late His Excellency Omar BONGO ONDIMBA in the Burundian peace process, a sign that Gabon has always been on Burundi’s side.

During this meeting, the two Heads of State decided to set up a joint commission to study ways and means for the implementation of the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

The Gabonese President expressed the wish to see the unjust sanctions taken against Burundi lifted, revealed the President of the Republic, revealed the Head of State.

Regarding the summit of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central Africa, the President of the Republic told the press that the participants had the opportunity to review the security situation of member countries of the community.

On this point they deplored the situation prevailing in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as in the Central African Republic.

For the Central African Republic, the Heads of State expressed the wish to see the embargo on the arms which hit this country end so that the Government can equip itself to secure the country.

They strongly condemned the presence of armed groups for which they recommended that a process of disarmament and reintegration be initiated. Finally, the Heads of State condemned the plundering of the country’s natural resources.

On the sidelines of the summit, President NDAYISHIMIYE had the opportunity to meet his Central African counterpart who expressed his thanks for the role played by Burundi in peacekeeping operations in that country. The Central African President welcomed the appreciation of the people of his country on the presence and behavior of the Burundian troops.

The summit also discussed issues of economic cooperation between member countries of the community. The Heads of State recommended the construction of roads to connect countries with each other.

The summit has finally made a change at the head of the community. The presidency was entrusted to President Denis SASU NGWASO of the Republic of Congo who replaces Ali BONGO ONDIMBA of Gabon