The following report was submitted by ASFL Local Coordinator Aimable Manirakaza

Amid the lingering crisis since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a controversial third term in office in Burundi, 126 students congregated at the University of Bujumbura Light Campus, Kinindo to discuss how to liberate their country from the shackles of poverty and state oppression. The event which was the first of its kind in Burundi was organized by the African Students For Liberty group led by Aimable Manirakiza, featured keynote sessions, discussions and cocktail.

Aimable, in his welcome note, spoke on the existence of ASFL in Burundi and how the group is committed to hosting events, and be in the frontline of advocating for human rights, rule of law and economic freedom in the country.

Bella Munezero, a Political science and International relations student of the university explained the need for youngsters to sow seeds to build the next generation of leaders who will also champion the libertarian movement to change the world.

In her words, ‘’we do not seek to cause a transformation of the world overnight. Rather, we sow the seeds as much as we can to change the world to be more inclined to liberty and to enable individuals to take action in a meaningful and sustainable manner to the realization of a freer world.

To change the world, we need people everywhere to embrace this change. We need widespread public calls for libertarian politics –that politicians are elected on pro-freedom platforms; journalists who accurately represent current events; business leaders who fight for freedom, and support university research publishing that satisfy the need for freedom, and more.

We are at a turning point where this is within our reach: the youth of today is the libertarian generation, there is an available path that leads to a freer world, and momentum behind SFL to succeed. With the right investment, the right people and good execution of the SFL strategy, we can change the world.’’ She noted.

On the need for Free Economic Exchange, Innocent KezaKima, a student of Management and Administration explained Free Trade as the principle aimed at promoting the development of international trade by eliminating tariff and non-tariff trade barriers and national regulations which may restrict the import of goods and services; adding that free exchange opposes protectionism and mercantilism.

In between sessions of the event, questions were raised by participants, and there were distribution of CDs on the Ideas of a Free Society at the end of the programme.