As Burundi works its way toward 2020 elections, there are new reports of threats from the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party known for its violence toward the political opposition of President Pierre Nkurunziza. A recent Human Rights Watch report said the Imbonerakure were forcing people to…
The nation of Burundi hasn’t commanded much international attention since May, when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pushed through a referendum that would allow him to remain in power through 2034. Yet the human rights situation there remains dire, according to the World Report 2019 released Thursday by the Human Rights…
Burundi has again pushed back at the findings of a United Nations human rights investigation released Wednesday that found grave violations continue in the small African nation, including summary deaths, torture, sexual violence and arbitrary arrest. Government spokesman Willy Nyamitwe, a senior advisor to President Pierre Nkurunziza and member of his…
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…
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into any crimes and atrocities committed in Burundi will go forward, despite the fact that the small African nation has withdrawn from the Rome Statute that allows for ICC jurisdiction.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…
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…
A widely circulated video of Burundi youth in the Imbonerakure militia chanting slogans about raping and killing their political opponents has met with condemnation from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Tuesday that the video of the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling…
A report issued Thursday by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization calls for sanctions against individuals in Burundi responsible for summary executions, torture and other serious human rights violations. The HRW appeal follows an investigation and interviews with more than 20 victims, human rights activists and other witnesses who described…