Burundi President appoints minister from Batwa tribe

Jun 29, 2020

Immelde Sabushimike an advocate of Human rights has been appointed as Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender in the Burundi government.

Sabushimike becomes the first Twa to hold such a prestigious position in the East African country.

The excitement is felt in a tweet posted the tribe's handle indicating how history has been made.

The Batwa, an indigenous community is found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

In Uganda, they they can be traced in the surroundings of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Ruhija, Mpungu sub-county in Kanungu district.

Batwa, showcasing culture. File Photo

 

Casually referred to as pygmies, the Batwa are the oldest recorded inhabitants of the Great Lakes Region in central Africa.

 

Originally, the Batwa inhabited the areas around the mountainous forests of Lake Kivu and Lake Edward.

 

The creation of national parks and economic development from the 1970s, led to the displacement of part of the communities.

 

New Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has unveiled a slimmed-down cabinet of only 15 ministers, dominated by regime hardliners such as the head of the feared intelligence service.

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye. (Photo by AFP)
Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye. (Photo by AFP)

Ndayishimiye took office earlier this month after the sudden death of veteran leader Pierre Nkurunziza.

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