Africa Faces a New Threat to Democracy – the ‘Constitutional Coup’
Conventional wisdom tells us that good political societies are built on the principles of constitutionalism. This entails upholding the rule of law and separation of powers. This is to ensure an even distribution of power where a society is “built on principles of law, not men”. In the 1990s many African states reinvented their constitutions […]
DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Burundi to Meet On Lake Tanganyika Oil
Four countries sharing the Lake Tanganyika basin will hold a meeting next week in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to discuss a joint exploration of oil and gas in the second deepest lake in the world. The minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, yesterday told the august House that there are traces […]
Measures Being Used to ‘Criminalize’ Work of Human Rights Defenders, Warn UN Experts
Speaking out against a ban and provisional suspension of a number of civil society organizations in Burundi, United Nations rights experts warned today of growing repression of human rights defenders and groups amid the already difficult environment in which they. Also worrying, according to a news release issued by the Office of the UN High […]
Groundbreaking on Solar Field in Burundi: Power Africa Partner Gigawatt Global Advances 1,000 MW Program
Amid the lush and rolling hills of Mubuga, 100 km outside the Burundian capital of Bujumbura, 2,500 people came yesterday to celebrate the festive ground-breaking for a 7.5 MW solar field that will add 15% to the East African country’s generation capacity. In a colorful and drum-accented ceremony attended by government officials, international investors, religious […]
Burundi Environment Minister Emmanuel Niyonkuru assassinated on New Year’s Eve
Burundi police confirmed the country’s environment minister, Emmanuel Niyonkuru, was shot dead while returning home from a New Year’s Eve party. Police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye announced the “assassination” in a tweet.Police also announced a woman who was traveling with Niyonkuru had been obtained for questioning. Though recent months have been more peaceful, violence has been […]
President Pierre Nkurunziza Stalls Talks, Eyes Term Limit Removal
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza seems to be stalling the East African Community-led mediation process, while also pushing a political agenda to remove a key part of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement (also known as the Arusha Accords) that limits presidential terms. Facilitated by former Presidents Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela, the Arusha Accords helped […]
The Main Reason Why African states Are Leaving the ICC
Until this week, no country had withdrawn from the International Criminal Court. Now two African states, South Africa and Burundi, have made official decisions to leave. Concerns are high that more African countries now will act on years of threats to pull out amid accusations that the court unfairly focuses on the continent. Here’s a […]
Political Unrest Leaves Burundi Facing Food Shortage
About 2.3 million people in Burundi are staring in the face of a severe food shortage this year, UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned Tuesday. The Crop Prospects and Food Situation report released by FAO indicates that civil insecurity and an economic downturn caused disruption to markets, farming activities and livelihoods in the East […]
Former Burundi Minister Hafsa Mossi Assassinated
The first East African Community (EAC) affairs minister for Burundi, Hafsa Mossi was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside her home in Bujumbura yesterday. A close relative said the former minister was near her home when a vehicle with tinted windows hit her car from behind. She was shot twice when she got out of […]
Regional MPs Discuss Security in Great Lakes Region
Parliamentary leaders meeting in Kigali for a two-day 14th Ordinary Session of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments in member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) have made regional security and political situation a focus of their discussions. At the sessions which kicked off yesterday at the Rwandan […]
