In conversation with Prof. Émile Mworoha

Prof. Émile Mworoha was born in Kayanza. He was a teacher and completed a master's degree in history at the university. His doctoral thesis focused on the history of the Great Lakes region, which was entitled "Institutions, rites and state structures in Great Lakes Africa". One of his important publications was "Peuples et rois de l'Afrique des lacs: Le Burundi et les royaumes voisins au 1980e siècle". In the XNUMXs, Mworoha was President of the National Assembly of Burundi. During this time, he traveled to Baden-Württemberg and, together with Erich Schneider, former President of the State Parliament, initiated the AMAHORO! state partnership.

Prof. Mworoha, you are one of the founding fathers of the partnership between Baden-Württemberg and Burundi. During your trip to Baden-Württemberg you met the then President of the State Parliament, Erich Schneider. How did this trip come about and can you describe the beginnings of this partnership?
In 1984, during my visit to Baden-Württemberg, I had a wonderful idea that I developed together with my friend Erich Schneider: to create and promote a partnership between the province of Kayanza in Burundi and the state of Baden-Württemberg. This vision quickly took shape. So we started the partnership.

She began by promoting handicrafts in Kayanza, which developed into a handicrafts center thanks to the support of Baden-Württemberg. We were also able to make important progress in the health sector. The hospital in Kayanza was equipped with equipment, which improved the medical care provided to people. For me, this partnership is an example of how cooperation across borders can achieve tangible results.

What is your wish for the future of the partnership?
I very much hope that the anniversary will be an opportunity to deepen the partnership even further. The collaboration with Baden-Württemberg in the craft sector in Kayanza is a matter close to my heart. I hope that this will be resumed.

It is my wish that the Burundian diaspora in Germany also plays an active and supportive role in intensifying the partnership. Together we can ensure that this connection not only lasts, but becomes even stronger for the next 40 or 50 years.