Critics warn that Burundi still harshly targets opposition
Opposition leaders and human rights groups are warning that Burundiโs government has shown little if any improvement under President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who took office after the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2020 with talk of reforms after years of deadly political crackdowns.
UN report 'extremely concerned' about Burundi's new leader
The abuses that followed drew international condemnation and led Burundi to leave the International Criminal Court and kick out the U.N. human rights office. The U.N. commission of inquiry said Burundiโs government has not responded to its correspondence. The new report found that Ndayishimiye appears to be taking the coronavirus pandemic more seriously than his predecessor, who declared that Burundi had divine protection. It called for the immediate release of human rights activists, political prisoners and journalists who were arbitrarily detained. The report says the pandemic has limited its investigative work into other alleged abuses in Burundi.
Burundi starts taking COVID-19 seriously, begins screening
A member of the public is tested for the coronavirus in Bujumbura, Burundi Monday, July 6, 2020. Burundi launched a campaign of mass screening for COVID-19 on Monday in the country's largest city Bujumbura, indicating that the new president Evariste Ndayishimiye is implementing policies to combat the spread of the disease. (AP Photo/Berthier Mugiraneza)NAIROBI Burundi launched a campaign of mass screening for COVID-19 on Monday in the country's largest city Bujumbura, indicating that the new president is changing policies to combat the spread of the disease. Launching the screening scheme, Health Minister Thaddee Ndikumana said the government is determined to fight the spread of COVID-19. The screening program launched Monday indicates that Ndayishimiye is indeed taking the threat of the disease more seriously.
Burundi court says to swear in president-elect immediately
Burundi's government said Tuesday, June 9, 2020 that President Pierre Nkurunziza has died of a heart attack. (AP Photo/Berthier Mugiraneza, File)NAIROBI Burundis constitutional court on Friday said the president-elect should be sworn in as soon as possible, ending uncertainty created by the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza this week. Ndayishimiye was the ruling party candidate in the election, defeating opposition leader Agathon Rwasa, who challenged the vote in court while alleging irregularities but lost. Legally speaking, all Burundians know its the speaker, Pascal Nyabenda, who is supposed to take over as interim president. What the ruling party is doing is simply a coup, Magera said.