Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has launched a campaign to promote a referendum to change the constitution that could see him rule until 2034. “It’s the day you’ve been waiting for,” Nkurunziza told a crowd of thousands of farmers in the central Gitega district on Tuesday, threatening …
Read More »Burundi orders ‘voluntary’ tax to fund fresh elections
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi’s government has launched a fundraising drive for elections in 2020, presented as “voluntary” but condemned by rights groups as “organised robbery”. Western electoral aid was cut in 2015, when Burundi was plunged into crisis as President Pierre Nkurunziza sought — and went on to …
Read More »Burundi talks get under way in absence of opposition
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A new round of talks aimed at ending Burundi’s lengthy political crisis began Tuesday in Arusha, Tanzania, though the negotiations were marked by the main opposition group’s absence. Despite the absence of both the exiled leadership of the CNARED opposition and civil society and church …
Read More »THIS WEEK: ICC starts full probe into Burundi crisis
THIS WEEK: ICC starts full probe into Burundi crisis Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Just weeks after Burundi officially exited from the International Criminal Court (ICC), judges of the court on Nov. 09 authorized the office of the prosecutor to commence probe into the political and security crisis in the …
Read More »Museveni, Magufuli condemn ICC action on Burundi
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP | Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) President Yoweri Museveni and visiting Tanzania President John Magufuli have urged caution before any action is taken against Burundi. On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) revealed that its judges had given the go-ahead …
Read More »Burundi says it will ‘never’ collaborate with ICC probe
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi on Friday slapped away any idea that it would help the International Criminal Court’s probe into alleged crimes committed after the country spiralled into political turmoil in 2015. “Burundi rejects this decision from the very outset,” said Justice Minister Aimee Laurentine Kanyana, a day …
Read More »Burundi’s deadly crisis: A timeline
Bujumbura, Burundi | AFP | Burundi has been gripped by turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a bid for a third term in office more than two years ago. On Thursday the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a full probe into alleged crimes committed during the crisis. Between 500 and 2,000 …
Read More »ICC opens full probe into alleged crimes in Burundi unrest
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | International judges have given the go ahead for a full investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Burundi, triggering anger Thursday in the crisis-torn African nation, the first ever to leave the war crimes tribunal. The decision to probe abuses in which at least 1,200 …
Read More »Burundi radio station suspended for criticising killings
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The director of a Burundi radio station said Friday his outlet is being temporarily taken off air after criticising the government over the killings of dozens of refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). CCIB FM+, which is run by Burundi’s chamber of commerce, …
Read More »African vote throws UN Burundi abuse probe into question
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The UN rights council voted Thursday to send experts to help authorities in crisis-wracked Burundi to investigate violations, casting doubt on whether an independent international probe would be allowed to continue. The resolution, presented this week by a group of African countries, was controversial since …
Read More »