The Minister of National Defense and Veterans Affairs, Alain Tribert Mutabazi hosted a press briefing on Tuesday July 26 on the major achievements during the 4th quarter of the 2021-2022 budget year. These achievements relate essentially to nine points including the strengthening of defence, good governance, the strengthening of institutional capacities, the improvement of capacities in the fight against terrorism and cyber-attack. Minister Mutabazi welcomed the great achievements of this ministry. According to him, these achievements are estimated at 95%.
“The defense forces have worked day and night to keep our country safe. Our soldiers have always remained vigilant to prevent and track down any criminal who intends to disturb the security of the country”, indicated Mr. Mutabazi. In order to maintain discipline in good shape, a lot of raids were carried out in the divisions by the military courts for investigation of the cases and judgment of the defendants.
In the area of defense reinforcement, Mr. Mutabazi said that the military participated jointly with the police and civilians in the “FTX Ushirikiano imara 2022” exercise which took place in Uganda. Regarding the fight against terrorism and peacekeeping, the 65th and 66th battalions of the ATMIS were deployed to relieve the 60th and 61st battalions which had just completed their mission. “In order to strengthen the image of the country and the confidence of the population of the host countries, our soldiers deployed on a peace mission in Somalia have distributed food and drinking water to the most needy in the localities of Maslah and Towfik. They provided medical assistance to more than 370 Somali patients in their areas of responsibility”.
Promoting good governance, environmental protection and the fight against fraud
With the aim of strengthening good governance, protecting the environment and fighting against fraud, Alain Tribert Mutabazi said he was satisfied with the achievements made. “We have maintained trees already planted across the country in collaboration with the population. We also participated in tree planting activities on the banks of the Mpanda River with young Burundians and those from member countries of the East African Standby Force (EASF)”, he said. illustrated.
In order to fight against fraud, 162 loincloths, 50 kg of coffee and 600 kg of beans were seized by the military and handed over to the authorized services. Regarding the contribution to the fight against illegal fishing in the waters of Lake Tanganyika, 36 canoes, 599 gillnets and 522 mosquito nets were seized.
The amended Organic Law of the National Defense Force has been enacted with the aim of strengthening institutional capacities. In addition, added Mr. Mutabazi, capacity building training for 30 military magistrates, 32 military OPJs, 10 clerks and 08 secretaries of the auditors were closed.
In order to improve the management of available resources and minimize the funds allocated to the supply of consumables, more than 160 t of briquettes were produced in Bujumbura and Gitega.
In order to support disabled veterans, 653 vouchers were granted to the needy and 114 disability certificates were validated. “One hundred and thirty-five war-disabled benefited from medical care at home, thirty-five pairs of crutches, nineteen orthoses and twenty-eight prostheses were distributed to war-disabled”.