BURUNDI: Government of Burundi holds state funeral for country's last monarch Queen Baramparaye and apologises for the ill-treatment the monarchy received since her son 's assasination in 1972

The country's last traditional monarch Queen Baramparaye has been buried. The current government has apologised for the ill-treatment the monarchy has faced ever since the assasination of her son King Charles Ndizeye by the authorities in 1972. The government of Burundi has held a state funeral in the former royal capital Gitega for the country's last monarch Queen Baramparaye who died of a heart attack at the age of 80. The vice-president, Martin Nduwimana, senate president, Gervais Rufyikiri and members of the royal familiy, known as the Ganwa attended the funeral. "I am sure that where you are going you will no longer suffer. You have suffered in silence. In your sufferance, you have always felt pity for the poor people. We are convinced that where you are going, you will no longer have to suffer. We are sure that you will meet your people, those you did not see die, those you didn't say goodbye to, those who were not buried with dignity. You will meet them where you are going," said George Ntiyeya, Queen Baramparaye's nephew who spoke at the funeral. Queen Baramparaye married Burundi's King Mwambutsa IV in 1946 when the country was still a Belgian colony. Their son Charles Ndizeye, toppled his father in July 1966 after independence and took the crown. King Ndizeye, or Ntare V as he was known, was also overthrown on 28 November 1966 when prime minister Capt. Michel Micombero took power and abolished the monarchy. The queen was chased away from the royal palace and all the royal assets were seized. Ntare V was killed during his attempt to make a comeback in 1972. His mother lived in obscurity until her death on February 11, 2007. The remaining members of the royal family have asked for his body to be exhumed for a proper burial. "We are begging for forgiveness on behalf of the governments that preceded us and on behalf of our government because of the compensation that the queen had asked for which we did not give to her when she was alive. God, forgive us! Queen Baramparaye, forgive us where you are in the heaven!" said Dr. Martin Nduwimana, Burundi's vice president, who attended the funeral on behalf of the government. The royal family are not regarded as either Hutu nor Tutsi, the two biggest ethnic groups in Burundi and neighbouring Rwanda. Hutus and Tutsis have been at war for decades in Burundi.

ITN Source | February 21, 2007

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