Kibaki to attend Burundi independence golden jubilee

President Kibaki is expected to travel to Bujumbura, Burundi for a three day State visit Sunday.

While in Bujumbura, President Kibaki will join Burundians, invited guests and other dignitaries for the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations.

During the State visit, the President will hold bilateral talks with his host President Pierre Nkurunziza and witness signing of agreements of cooperation before launching the Kenya Burundi Business Forum.

The Head of State is also scheduled to meet the Burundian House Speaker and President of the House of Senate before addressing the country’s National Assembly.

Burundi gained independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962, and two months later joined the United Nations. In 2007, the country along with Rwanda became members of the East African Community (EAC).

EAC, whose current chairman is President Kibaki, is a regional bloc of five countries- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi with a combined population of 125 million people.

EAC Heads of State signed protocols for removal of trade barriers to create a common market and allow free movement of people, goods and capital across borders, furthering the region’s dream of broad political unification.