China to support soccer games to boost Burundi's social harmony

The Chinese Embassy has agreed to financially support soccer games arranged by Burundian Ombudsman Mohamed Rukara, the spokesman of the Ombudsman said Tuesday.

The announcement came after the Ombudsman met Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhuo Ruisheng. The two discussed the soccer games organized by the Office of the Burundian Ombudsman that will kick off on Sept. 10.

"The Chinese Ambassador to Burundi commended the initiative and pledged to financially support the games that contribute to peace and social harmony amongst Burundian citizens," said spokesman Juma Rukumbi.

He said competitors in the soccer games will be drawn from various social groups including defense and security agents, houseworkers, administration officials, taxi motorbike and bicycle riders.

The two sides also discussed the coming international conference on the role of ombudsmen and religious organizations in religion-based conflict prevention, scheduled in the Burundian capital Bujumbura on Sept. 27-29, according to the spokesman.

Burundi has suffered turmoil since April last year when President Nkurunziza announced that he would seek a third term and later won the election on July 21, 2015.

Opponents say the president's move violates the constitution, and mounted waves of protests.

Over 500 people are said to have been killed in violence while some 270,000 people are said to have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Endit