Burundi’s Ambassador visits Oakland to unite and collaborate with Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities
By Post Staff
In a remarkable display of international goodwill and cooperation, Ambassador Dr. Albert Nasasagare, the Special Advisor to President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Africa, embarked on a historic visit to Oakland, California. Invited by Dr. Maritony Ann Jones, a fellow ambassador and humanitarian, the visit took place on Sept. 25th-26th, and it offered a unique opportunity to foster international relations and showcase Oakland’s hospitality by the Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities executive team.
The visit was hosted and sponsored by JonathanFitnessJones, Oakland Post Ambassador to the Community/AASEG, and Ray Bobbit founder of African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG), underscoring the significance of this diplomatic engagement.
Dr. Albert Nasasagare, met with the board and staff of the Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC) and was briefed on how projects like the AASEG could become a resource of hope and opportunity for groups like the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB) founded by Richard Johnson. The Ambassador was given information on how to develop and utilize youth employment and training programs by PIC CEO Ray Lankford.
Dr. Nasasagare also visited the offices of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Y. Price where he met with DA Senior Staff Ottis Bruce Jr., Chief Assistant District Attorney, and Royl L. Roberts, Chief Assistant District Attorney, and Antwon Cloird Senior Program Specialist.
Their discussions revolved around the Burundi-Oakland Sister Cities exchange students program plans which were proposed to be in alignment with DA Price’s program called “Drum Major for Justice, ” which was launched this summer for the youth.
The Ambassador visited the Oakland Post and was invited by Paul Cobb, publisher of Oakland Post to join him at the City Hall, where he met District 6 City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. Cobb invited the Ambassador to join him as an observer to a press interview at the City of Oakland Mayor’s office.
Ray Bobbit took the Ambassador on a city-wide tour and shared a brief history of Oakland, stopping at the local landmarks and seeing all parts of Oakland which also included touring the Oakland Coliseum.
The Ambassador wanted to immerse himself in the local culture and to learn of the city’s diversity. He engaged with residents who spoke French, Swahili and Kirundi, connecting with African communities in California. Ambassador Nasasagare said his visit was marked by “meaningful discussions and interactions, aimed at addressing common challenges and exploring opportunities for collaboration.”
One of the pressing issues discussed during the visit was the rising crime rates in California, particularly in the city of Oakland. Ambassador Nasasagare’s insights, drawn from his experience in Burundi, where a decade-long civil war wreaked havoc, proved invaluable. He emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of youth in the community, and the victims affected by crime and the need to work collectively to find solutions as a united community.
Ambassador Nasasagare’s journey to Oakland reflects his life story. Hailing from Burundi, a country in central Africa, he said he had witnessed firsthand how “political agendas exploited youth, leading to a decade-long civil war from 1993 to 2006, resulting in a staggering death toll of over 300,000.”
Poverty in Burundi surged during this period, reaching 67% of the population. Ambassador Nasasagare, even in his youth, recognized the need for change and rallied young people to work together to shape their future.
The Ambassador’s advocacy for youth empowerment led him to serve for 15 years as Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Protocol for late President Pierre Nkurunziza, and he continues to serve as the Special Advisor to Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye. He is also the founder of the Youth Coalition in Action (YCA), a local NGO dedicated to helping children in need, mentoring youth and women for financial empowerment, and promoting community development and environmental protection.
The visit culminated in a dinner where future collaborations between sister cities and Burundi were discussed. The potential for empowering youth and organizing exchange programs for Oakland’s youth in Burundi, providing training and job opportunities, was a focal point of discussion and the visit. Mwaro in Burundi will become the first city in Burundi to be part of the Oakland-Burundi Sister Cities International, a project initiated by Ambassador JonathanFitnessJones.
Jones said Ambassador Dr. Albert Nasasagare’s visit to Oakland “has opened doors to new possibilities, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation, youth empowerment, and community development. It is a testament to the power of dialogue and partnership in addressing complex challenges and building a brighter future for all.”
