Burundi hails achievements of international organisations in Burundi

Burundian First Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza Wednesday commended achievements of international and nongovernmental organizations working in Burundi, but urged a fair recruitment of their personal and a good management of their funds.

"International and nongovernmental organizations working in Burundi have contributed a lot to Burundi's development. But those organizations do not sometimes operate a fair recruitment of the local personnel or do not manage adequately their funds," said Bazombanza at the launch of three open days at the country's External Relations and International Cooperation Ministry.

For three days, the general public will be authorized to have free access to the ministry and will receive explanations on the ministry's achievements and how the ministry works.

"From the experience, we have realized that international and nongovernmental organizations recruit the local staff based on ethnic backgrounds. Other organizations use more than 70 percent of their funds in salaries of the personnel and beautiful cars and only allocate less than 30 percent to the development of rural communities where they are based," said Bazombanza.

According to Bazombanza, the recruitment of the personnel should take into account the Arusha Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation that provides that 60 percent of positions should be given to the Hutu majority group and 40 percent of positions to the Tutsi minority group.

He also indicated that activities of international and nongovernmental organizations should take the major part of their funding.

He indicated that the law on the functioning of international and nongovernmental organizations in Burundi is being amended to correct those shortcomings.