President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of Burundi on the occasion marking the 54^th Independence Anniversary of that country.

July 1 is celebrated annually as Burundi’s Independence Day. On this day Belgian colony Ruanda-Urundi split to form Rwanda and present-day Burundi. Belgium administered both countries as one colonial empire, known as Ruanda-Urundi.

Tensions between the Hutu and the Tutsi pygmy people in Rwanda made the latter flee to Burundi and find freedom from persecution. Both countries were involved into a civil war. The ruler of Burundi, Mwami Mwambutsa IV, requested separation of Burundi from Rwanda in 1959. In the same year political parties were formed, that brought the attention of Europe to the situation in Ruanda-Urundi. Belgium granted Burundi independence on July 1, 1962.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Excellency Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, President Sirleaf extended warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Burundi as they observe this joyous occasion, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in her own name.

She indicated that as both countries work together to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between them, it is her fervent prayer that the Almighty God  will continue to endow President Nkurunziza with abundant  wisdom and strength as he leads his people to sustainable peace and greater prosperity.