A remarkable progression : From Resident Coordinator’s Office to Senator

The Office of the Resident Coordinator is delighted to celebrate the appointment of Honorable Léonard HABIMANA to the Senate of Burundi. His move into this state role is not only a major milestone in his professional life but also reflects Burundi’s commitment to constitutional principles of inclusion for all ethnic groups, especially the Batwa community. 

Hon. Leonard’s professional background highlights his unwavering dedication and deep commitment. Previously, he served as a senior official in the State Inspectorate General, within the Institutional, Administrative, and Legal Affairs division. He was also a member of the National Commission tasked with proposing amendments to Burundi’s 2018 Constitution. 

His strong pursuit of justice and human rights led him to become a Senior Indigenous Fellow, deployed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Burundi. His Senatorial nomination is not an isolated incident but reflects a positive trend for the Batwa community in Burundi.

Hon. Léonard HABIMANA is the second member of the Batwa community to participate in the Indigenous Fellowship Programme (IFP), a professional development program in human rights initiated by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). This program, launched during the First International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004), aims to strengthen the human rights capacities of indigenous representatives, particularly within UN system mechanisms.

From 2024 until his Senatorial appointment on July 29, 2025, Hon. Léonard HABIMANA served with exemplary dedication as a Senior Indigenous Fellow to the UN Human Rights Senior Advisor in Burundi. Passionate about the Batwa community’s cause, he distinguished himself through his consistent efforts to promote indigenous peoples’ rights. 

Through impactful initiatives, Hon. Leonard effectively mobilized and raised awareness about critical issues facing his community, truly embodying a driving force for progress and hope. As a representative of the Association for the Development and Socio-Economic Reintegration of Underprivileged Populations (ADRSEPAL), he consistently worked towards the empowerment of the Batwa community.

Honorable Léonard HABIMANA’s presence in the Senate ensures that the voices and concerns of the Batwa community will be effectively heard and considered in the development of national laws and policies. His expertise and understanding of social issues will make him an invaluable asset to the country.

We wish him great success in his new function and encourage him to maintain the same 

determination in working towards a more just and inclusive Burundi for all.

Copyright©United Nations in Burundi 2025