Welcoming of the “Great Africa Cycling Safari” Cyclists by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

On September 18, 2026, His Excellence Ambassador Edouard BIZIMANA, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, welcomed the cyclists of the “Great Africa Cycling Safari” Association, who are participating in the 9th Edition of the East African Community Cycling Tour. Speaking on the 9th Edition of the “Great Africa Cycling Safari,” organized this year under the theme “Propelling East Africa through Peace, Security, Health, Access to Water, Food Security, and Sustainable Mobility,” he indicated that Burundi is particularly pleased to welcome the cyclists to Bujumbura following their crossing of the Burundian-Tanzanian border at Mugina-Manyovu on September 16, 2026, during which they had the opportunity to pedal together along the shores of Lake Tanganyika and appreciate the diversity of Burundian landscapes and hills.
While deploring what happened in Kenya, His Excellence the Minister stated that this initiative, though sporting in nature, is of paramount importance for the regional integration process and constitutes a strong symbol of unity and fraternity among East African citizens, the cornerstone of sustainable development.
Furthermore, he noted that cycling and the community development activities carried out by the cyclists during their journey, the exchanges between populations to promote social cohesion among East African citizens, the promotion of tourism, and the discovery of Burundi’s rich cultures ultimately aim to bring East African peoples closer together and progressively consolidate the sense of belonging to a Community with a shared destiny, as stated in the EAC motto: “One People, One Destiny.”
As for John Palongo, the founder of “Great Africa Cycling Safari,” he pointed out that while the East African Community has developed important institutions and negotiated and signed various protocols and policies, the true test of regional integration lies in how ordinary East African citizens live their daily lives. This is why the “Great Africa Cycling Safari” cyclists are crossing borders to raise awareness among East African populations about the EAC regional integration process and to understand how regional integration is perceived by East African citizens.
According to him, the EAC Cycling Tour has demonstrated that while the distance between countries can be measured in kilometers, the distance between our peoples can be shortened simply by creating opportunities to meet, interact, and work together while safeguarding peace and security.