Early reports from Burundi’s national broadcaster show vote totals that overwhelmingly favor President Pierre Nkurunziza’s referendum to extend presidential term limits, which would theoretically allow him to remain in office until 2034. Burundi National Radio and Television began reporting returns early Friday from some half-dozen precincts that showed referendum “yes”…
Burundi’s ruling party distanced itself on Saturday from a savage overnight attack in Ruhagarika- Bugunda that left at least 26 people dead, with reports that 11 of the victims were children. The CNDD-FDD nonetheless continued campaigning ahead of a May 17 constitutional referendum that would allow President Pierre Nkurunziza to…
Human rights activist Germain Rukuki of Burundi has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for rebellion, threatening state security and other charges. The decision comes ahead of next month’s vote on a a constitutional referendum that will allow the nation’s presidents to extend terms in office. Rukuki, a member…
In December 2017, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi traveled to the town of Bugendana to launch his campaign for a national referendum that would change the small African nation’s constitution. It would allow for multiple seven-year terms in office – terms that he would be eligible to serve through 2034 if…
Somalia’s President Mohamed Farmaajo and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Saturday they want the United Nations Security Council to reconsider the African Union troop drawdown and transition to Somali security forces authorized under last year’s Resolution 2372. Their position was decided at a summit of the Troop…
Burundi’s record on human rights came under scrutiny again at the weekend, as presidential advisor Willy Nyamitwe was met Saturday by a band of diasporan protesters during a visit to the United States. Nyamitwe, the top aide and highly visible spokesman for Pierre Nkurunziza, was visiting his family in Portland,…
President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has launched his campaign on a national referendum that would change the constitution to allow for multiple seven-year terms in office – terms that he would be eligible to serve through 2034 if the changes go into effect. Nkurunziza appeared Tuesday before throngs of Burundians…
For the second time in 48 hours, a moderate earthquake struck Saturday evening near Lake Kivu in central Africa. The 5.1-magnitude earthquake happened at 7:20 p.m. local time in the Kabare region of Democratic Republic of Congo, about 23 kilometers to the southwest of the lakeside city of Bukavu. The United…
With a new round of dialogues on Burundi under way in Arusha, mediator and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa hopes this one will be the last and lead to an agreement signed by all stakeholders in Burundi’s seemingly intractable political crisis. Those hopes are fading fast as National Council for…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into any crimes and atrocities committed in Burundi will go forward, despite the fact that the small African nation has withdrawn from the Rome Statute that allows for ICC jurisdiction. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said Thursday that the authorized investigation into Burundi war crimes…
The United Nations refugee agency said it was “shocked and saddened” by the news that at least three dozen refugees and asylum seekers from Burundi were killed in Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called for an investigation into the incident in Kamanyola,…
A moderate earthquake struck Friday evening in the Lake Kivu region of central Africa. The 5.0-magnitude earthquake happened at 7:45 p.m. local time in the Kabare region of Democratic Republic of Congo, about 23 kilometers to the southwest of the lakeside city of Bukavu. The United States Geological Survey said…
Comoros has become a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), following the formal acceptance of the nation’s application during the SADC summit that ended Sunday in South Africa. It joins the island nations of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles in attaining its SADC membership. Comoros, led by President Azali…
This weekend’s South African Development Community summit in Pretoria began Friday evening with the six Double Troika nations meeting to discuss political and security issues. The six countries – Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Swaziland and Botswana, as well as host South Africa – planned to discuss the situation in Democratic Republic…
Domitien Ndayizeye, the former president of Burundi, says he is taking seriously threats made against him by speakers for the Imbonerakure militia during a massive weekend rally in Bujumbura. Ndayizeye, who was succeeded by current President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2005, told Burundi’s independent Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) that the threats made…