Bujumbura — On 21 October Burundians commemorated the painful memory of the death of Melchior Ndadaye, the first democratically elected president of Burundi.

Fourteen years after this assassination which sparked mass killings which claimed more than 300,000 lives, Burundians still celebrate this painful event in their ethnic ghettos. The 14th anniversary of Ndadaye's death was commemorated in all provinces of Burundi with less enthusiasm compared to previous years.

The government of Burundi led by President Nkurunziza for the third time has boycotted ceremonies at Kibimba where students were burnt alive in 1993. This place has become a symbolic location for many diehards of the Tutsi minority. Representatives of parents whose children died in Kibimba indicate they will not wait for 22 October to commemorate this painful event as the government goes on boycotting them.

This event was celebrated when the truth and reconciliation commission has not yet been set up. The Head of State campaigned for the start of talks aimed at setting up the peace and reconciliation two months ago and a team to pilot the talks has been appointed.

However, the the talks have not yet started due to the Burundi government's lack of funds as well as a troubled political situation.