UN Envoy urges Burundi leaders to ‘seize opportunities for national unity and peace’
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Burundi, Michel Kafando, has called on the country’s leaders to “seize the opportunity” offered by the recent adoption of a new constitution, to create a new political environment that is “conducive to the consolidation of national unity and peace”. Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, he commended in particular […]
Chinese Yuan to Become Reserve Currency of Lesotho?
LESOTHO is among 14 eastern and southern African countries that are considering the adoption of the Chinese yuan as a reserve currency to facilitate the repayment of loans being advanced by the Asian economic giant for infrastructural developments. A team of Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) officials recently joined their eastern and southern African counterparts […]
The EU Upholds Sanctions Against Bujumbura
Members of the European Union parliament voted to keep sanctions on the Government of Burundi. They say human right violations persist. The Government of Burundi accuses the EU of being partial. On 6 July, EU parliamentarians adopted a resolution on Burundi in which they uphold the decision of the European Union to suspend financial aid […]
Commission of Inquiry Says Human Right Violation Persist
On 15 May, the Commission of Inquiry on Human rights in Burundi has presented the second oral briefing to the UN Human Right Council. Members of the commission say human right violations persist. Burundi Government accuses the commission of producing biased and politically oriented reports. “We were struck in our investigations by the feeling of […]
Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza orders unmarried couples to wed
Cohabiting couples in Burundi have until the end of the year to get married or face legal consequences. The government order comes after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a campaign “to moralise society”. A government spokesman said a crackdown on informal relationships was needed to combat a population explosion. He said too many schoolgirls were getting […]
With funding ‘down to a trickle,’ UN agency renews warning over Burundi refugees
The United Nations refugee agency has increased its funding appeal by $36 million to support Burundians fleeing their homes in what could become the third-largest refugee crisis in Africa. “Arriving refugees continue to cite hunman rights abuses, fear of persecution and sexual and gender-based violence as reasons for fleeing,” Babar Baloch, spokesperson for the Office […]
Nile Basin Initiative Should Be Mandated to Conflict Resolution
Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), an international partnership of ten Nile Basin countries, should be mandated to resolve conflicts in order to enhance cooperation to member states in the region. NBI member states are Tanzania, Egypt, South Sudan, The Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Eritrea participates as an […]
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 […]
Visa-free African Union Diplomatic Passport Launched: Everything you need to know about it and how to get it
It’s official—the African Union has launched its continental e-passport program Sunday as part of the opening ceremony of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Kigali, Rwanda. But unless you’re Rwandan President Paul Kagame or Chadian President Idriss Eby, who are already carrying their fancy-looking red and gold document, an […]