President Nkurunziza dies suddenly in Burundi

President Nkurunziza dies suddenly in Burundi

President Pierre Nkurunziza has died in Burundi, according to the government on Tuesday. Nkurunziza, 55, died of a heart attack in hospital. The statement, issued by secretary general and Burundi government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye, said Nkurunziza fell ill late Saturday in the northern Ngozi community following a sporting match. He…

China welcomes court decision on Burundi presidency

China welcomes court decision on Burundi presidency

Beijing on Friday was quick to welcome the news from Burundi, where the constitutional court has confirmed May 20 presidential election results that will put Evariste Ndayishimiye into office, replacing outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza but maintaining power for the CNDD-FDD party. “We believe that under the leadership of President Ndayishimiye,…

Burundi officials rubbish warnings in new UN report

High-level officials in Burundi say they strongly reject the conclusions of a United Nations report released Wednesday, one that expressed concern over risks associated with human rights concerns as the volatile nation moves toward 2020 elections. The report, completed by a team of UN experts including Doudou Diène of Senegal…

Burundi releases detained Seventh-day Adventist church members

Nearly two dozen members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burundi who were arrested by government authorities were released on Friday, church leaders said. The arrests more than a week ago followed some six months of interference by Burundian officials, according to global church leader Ted N.C. Wilson. The government…

UN laments closure of human rights office in Burundi

  Burundi’s antagonism towards United Nations investigators and the UN human rights agency has spanned the years since President Pierre Nkurunziza insisted on a third term in 2015, touching off a political and humanitarian crisis in the small east-central African nation. Now the government has forced the closure of the…

Burundi human rights situation still dire, new HRW report finds

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 spokesman calls UN human rights report ‘a bunch of lies’

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…

Burundi term limits referendum draws U.S. criticism

Officials in Burundi verified on Monday the final vote tally on a referendum, initiated by President Pierre Nkurunziza, which extends presidential term limits to allow him to run for and remain in the office through 2034. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said the referendum passed with 73 percent of…

Burundi: Early tallies show landslide support for Nkurunziza referendum

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”…

Rights group warns of violence over Burundi term limits vote

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…