Students from the Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, held a significant meeting in Bujumbura province's Ngagara zone on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The gathering, which convened students from various institutions across the province, was a key event aimed at reinforcing party ideology and outlining future directives. Participants were urged to balance their political activism with academic pursuits, emphasizing a holistic approach to their development. The meeting itself served a dual purpose, combining the welcome of more than three hundred new student members into the Imbonerakure youth league with an exchange of New Year's wishes, setting a forward-looking tone for the year.
Key Messages Delivered
Eric Nshimirimana, the national president of the 'Imbonerakure' youth league, delivered a compelling address, exhorting participants to adopt exemplary behavior and change their mindset in line with party values. Mr. Nshimirimana showed the party's foundational strength and divine mandate, stating unequivocally, "Dieu a tout donné au parti CNDD-FDD" (God has given everything to the CNDD-FDD party). This declaration served to imbue the youth with a sense of purpose and belonging within the party's broader mission.
Alexandre Ngoragoze, the provincial secretary of the CNDD-FDD in Bujumbura province, also addressed the audience, providing practical guidance and strategic direction. He specifically encouraged the students to serve as examples within their communities by actively investing in agriculture, noting the cultivation of avocado and coffee trees as key areas of focus. This emphasis on agricultural development was presented as a tangible way for the youth to contribute to economic progress. The event drew substantial participation from various cadres, both native and non-native to Bujumbura province, demonstrating broad support and engagement. Attendees included elected deputies, Mr. Nshimirimana himself, administrators from all communes in the province, and communal secretaries of the ruling party, showing the importance and high-level attention given to the youth league's activities.
Focus on Agriculture and Ideology
Alexandre Ngoragoze further elaborated on the party's expectations for the youth, urging students to massively enroll in basic party committees. This call for widespread enrollment aimed to strengthen the party's grassroots presence and ensure a steady influx of dedicated members. Mr. Ngoragoze also passionately urged them to return to their home hills to popularize the CNDD-FDD's ideology, thereby extending the party's reach and influence into local communities. He emphasized the critical importance of hard work and sacrifice in achieving both personal and collective goals, articulating this commitment with the statement, "Concentrez-vous, acceptez de faire des sacrifices et étudiez d’arrache-pied" (Focus, accept to make sacrifices and study diligently).
Mr. Ngoragoze further commented that a strong agro-pastoral approach, championed by the youth, would enable the local population to witness the tangible impact of the elite. This strategy aims to bridge the gap between party leadership and the populace through concrete developmental initiatives. He articulated the party's vision for sustaining its achievements, noting, "Nous avons déjà acquis la victoire, mais nous devons la préserver en nous appuyant sur des projets de développement" (We have already achieved victory, but we must preserve it by relying on development projects). This approach aims to couple ideological dissemination with concrete development initiatives, ensuring the party's continued influence and support at the grassroots level.
Preserving Victory Through Development
Alexandre Ngoragoze, provincial secretary of the CNDD-FDD in Bujumbura province, affirmed that victory had indeed been achieved by the party. He stressed, however, that this victory must be preserved through a reliance on development projects, indicating a strategic imperative to couple political success with tangible improvements in the lives of citizens. The discussions noted that the youth, particularly the Imbonerakure, are seen as key agents in this ongoing effort, tasked with both upholding party values and actively participating in national development. The meeting in Ngagara zone thus served as a vital platform for mobilizing the youth league towards these twin objectives of ideological propagation and practical, community-level development.
