At least four children have died in Burundi after a church collapsed during a storm, state media reported. According to state media, 15 others were injured in the incident early on Sunday. The south of the country – where the church is located – had been hit by strong winds …
Read More »Burundi: president Ndayishimiye sacks PM after coup claim
Burundi’s president Évariste Ndayishimiye has sacked Prime Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni days after he claimed unnamed “powerful people” were plotting a coup against him, media reported. In a unanimous vote in parliament on Wednesday morning, all 113 ruling MPs voted in favour of President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s proposal to dismiss Mr …
Read More »Burundi: opponent dies in prison, the reason
Burundian opponent of the National Congress for Freedom (CNL) principal opposition party, André Ndagijimana, died while in custody in the northern province of Ngozi. According to the CNL, Mr Ndagijimana passed away after the prison authority refused him “permission to seek treatment”. “It’s very sad because a person in detention …
Read More »Burundi: street children now risk criminal prosecution
Burundi’s government said the thousands of children roaming the streets, adult beggars and other “vagabonds” now risk criminal prosecution as they tarnish the country’s image. Street children and other beggars should no longer roam the streets from this Wednesday. “These practices which “deteriorate” Burundian culture must cease,” authorities said. “Repeat …
Read More »Burundi: tuk-tuks and motorbikes banned
Burundi has banned rickshaws, motorcycle taxis and all other forms of two- and three-wheel public transport from the commercial capital, Bujumbura. Private bicycles and motorbikes are also banned. Police are stationed on roads leading to the city to make sure the vehicles remain on the periphery. The government says drivers …
Read More »Burundi gets US aid as sanctions are dropped
In the same week the European Union (EU) lifted its sanctions on Burundi, the US says it it doing the same, thanks to “significantly decreased violence” and reforms by President Évariste Ndayishimiye. However, Burundian opposition figures say repression and human rights issues have not improved. A statement from the US …
Read More »European Union lifts economic sanctions against Burundi
The European Union (EU) announced it had lifted economic sanctions against Burundi, but said the country had a lot to do “in the areas of human rights, good governance, reconciliation and the rule of law”. Citing a peaceful political environment and progress by the Burundian government in several areas, including …
Read More »Burundi: Rwandans expelled for refusing to be vaccinated
At least twelve Rwandans including women and children have been expelled by the Burundian authorities after refusing to be vaccinated against covid-19. Those expelled said they had fled the ongoing mandatory vaccination campaign in Rwanda. The provincial governor, Albert Hatungimana, directed that they be deported to Rwanda. Last Thursday, nine …
Read More »Burundi: dozens killed and injured in prison fire
The fire in the main prison in Gitega, the Burundian capital, left at least 38 dead and dozens injured, the country’s vice-president said. Twelve died of asphyxia as they tried to flee the burning buildings and 26 died of severe injuries, Vice President Prosper Bazombanza told Reuters. The causes of …
Read More »Burundi: a minister fired for ‘tarnishing’ the country’s image
Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye has dismissed Commerce Minister Capitoline Niyonizigiye, accused of “undermining government’s aspirations and orientations…and for tarnishing the image of Burundi”. Iwacu news website tweeted a photo of the minister: Capitoline Niyonizigiye, ministre du Commerce, destituée https://t.co/wWmLtBKysc pic.twitter.com/T5koPOswfD— IWACU Burundi (@iwacuinfo) November 18, 2021 Ms Niyonizigiye is the …
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