Not long after they had settled in Tanzania, the late president John Pombe Magufuli came to power with a nationalistic “Tanzania first” approach, translating to a shift in the country’s humanitarian policy. His government ceased supporting refugee programmes, and some Burundian refugees were allegedly abducted, tortured and forcefully repatriated. 

In the aftermath of Magufuli’s presidency, the situation was exacerbated by funding cuts that led to significant reductions in food rations , putting refugees at the risk of malnutrition and vulnerability to disease.

Towards the end of 2025, the Tanzanian government announced plans to close Nduta and Nyarugusu refugee camps in March and June 2026, respectively, and in coordination with the UNHCR, intensified its effort to voluntarily repatriate about 142,000 Burundians to their country.

Thousands have been repatriated through this programme, however there are concerns that refugee shelters are being demolished and the process is rather coercive. This may expose refugees to harm, especially those who allegedly fled Burundi because of political persecution. Yet the international refugee law requires that refugees and asylum-seekers must not be returned to a place where their lives or freedom would be at risk.

“Burundian refugees remain in a desperate situation. They are too scared to return home, but are unsafe – without adequate food, shelter, or protection – in a country that purportedly provides them with asylum,” some analysts observe , emphasising the need for adequate preparation and political will.

This is reiterated by UNHCR’s  Bahia Egeh , who urges that repatriation “be carried out in safety and dignity, and based on free and informed choice rather than pressure.”

Although voluntary repatriation is a UN-established measure, it is susceptible to conflicts between returnees and their communities back home. This often leads to renewed forced displacement, with more devastating consequences.

There are lessons to draw from Uganda’s progressive policy. The country has achieved considerable success in repatriation, particularly of South Sudanese refugees, owing to a strong focus on inclusivity . The decision-making and implementation processes are designed to ensure all key stakeholders – government at different levels, non-governmental organisations, development partners, refugee communities, among others – are involved.

Additionally, specific programmes are put in place to offer information and sensitise both the returnees and the communities back home, to create social, economic and cultural conditions that foster cohesion. For instance, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with UNHCR and the South Sudanese government, supports refugees to visit their home country in order to assess the situation first-hand before deciding to move. This is vital in the repatriation process, as it allows the returnees to make informed decisions and to actively participate in the policy-making process.

On top of this, the returnees are provided with reintegration support in the form of cash allowances, healthcare screening and tools to support their food security, to enable them adapt quickly. These steps could be adopted by Tanzania to offer Burundian refugees and asylum seekers better treatment and more protection.

The border reopening followed the withdrawal of M23 from Uvira in January, at the request of the United States, which sought to consolidate the truce achieved through a Trump-brokered agreement between Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi in Washington in December 2025.

The border closure restricted the movement of people and goods between the two countries, impeding trade and undermining the East African Community’s common market and custom union arrangements that are intended to eliminate trade barriers between the members of the regional bloc.

“When the border was closed, business declined. Without Congolese customers, movement decreased and so did our income,” remarks a Burundian market vendor, who emphasises that the substantial reduction in the number of Congolese customers who would purchase their products in large amounts to resell in their country, strained their small businesses.

The reopening is expected to boost cross-border trade, increasing Burundi’s and the DRC’s exports. During the two-month closure, there were shortages of consumer goods and a rise in prices, which constrained the livelihood of people, especially those living around the border towns of Uvira and Gutamba.

“The reopening of the border is a great joy for us and for all the residents of Uvira. Even in Gatumba, there is celebration. Motorcycles and bicycles are moving. I even saw students leaving their schools to come celebrate at the border,” notes another trader.

As of 2023, over 80% of Burundi’s exports were destined for DRC, a significant portion of which went through the Kavimvira border post. However, the rising insecurity worsened the humanitarian situation, significantly reducing trade flow and dampening the economic prospects of both nations.

This was not the first time Burundi had closed a border due to insecurity. In 2024, the East African nation claimed that its neighbour, Rwanda, was hosting and training the Red Tabara, an anti-regime rebel outfit that Bujumbura attributed to an attack that claimed 20 lives in December 2023. This culminated in the closure of the border between the two countries. The action significantly jeopardised the flow of goods and people, hindering economic activities, mostly along the borderlands.

There are some doubts as to whether the M23 withdrawal from Uvira will be sustained, considering the recent escalation. On Tuesday, the military spokesperson of the rebel group, Willy Ngoma, was killed in a drone strike near Rubaya, North Kivu province. This has heightened tensions with a possibility of fresh confrontation between the Rwanda-backed rebels and the Congolese army.

The frequent conflicts in the Great Lakes region highlight the need for regional blocs, particularly the EAC and the Southern African Development Community, to strengthen their conflict management mechanisms to prevent or mitigate cross-border disputes before they spiral.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views.

Outgoing Chairperson João Lourenço reflected on Angola’s leadership over the past year. He highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilising investments for infrastructure , strengthening continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and promoting reforms to improve AU efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.

President Ndayishimiye, 57, has served as the tenth President of Burundi since June 2020. He became involved in the National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) during the Burundian Civil War and rose through its ranks. After the conflict, he entered the Burundian Army and held several political offices under President Pierre Nkurunziza, who endorsed him as successor ahead of the 2020 elections, which he won with a large majority.

The summit also confirmed the AU Bureau for 2026. Ghana was named First Vice Chair, Tanzania as Second Vice Chair, and Angola as Rapporteur. A representative from North Africa is yet to be confirmed as Third Vice Chair.

“You treat a country, or a president, or a government like a spoilt child,” Kagame said, referring to how Congo is handled in international diplomacy. “The problem didn’t start in Rwanda, we didn’t cause it,” the East African quotes.

Kagame rejected claims that Rwanda is involved in Congo for economic gain, particularly mineral exploitation.

“If we were in Congo for precious metals and minerals, we’d be 100 times richer than we are today,” he said, insisting Rwanda’s primary concern is national security .

At the centre of Rwanda’s argument is the continued presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group linked to the Interahamwe militia responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Kagame said the group continues to promote genocide ideology and poses a direct threat to Rwanda.

“They keep saying, ‘We want to finish what we started,’” Kagame said, adding that the ideology has been passed down to younger generations despite many original fighters being elderly.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the AFC/M23 rebel group fighting Congolese government forces in eastern Congo, despite United Nations Security Council demands that Kigali withdraw troops and stop supporting the rebels. Rwanda maintains that M23 fighters are Congolese citizens addressing unresolved political and ethnic grievances.

“They say Rwanda and Burundi are twins, but Burundi has chosen to be twins with Congo,” Kagame said. While the UN has acknowledged the security threat posed by the FDLR, Kagame said Congo and its allies,  including Burundi, face little scrutiny.

Humanitarian officials have raised concerns over shortages of food, shelter and other basic supplies. Many of the newly arrived refugees have yet to receive assistance, increasing the risk of disease, especially amid persistent rain.

“Several people were killed, and our soldiers fled. As they were fleeing, they fired shots and people died,” said one woman who fled the violence with her three-month-old son. She described narrowly escaping gunfire as others around her were struck.

The security situation remains volatile, with the M23 group reportedly advancing to within a few kilometres of the Burundi–DRC border. Displaced families, carrying only what they could salvage, continue to wait anxiously for relocation despite difficult terrain and worsening weather conditions.

The African Union is facing backlash from a senior opposition official in Burundi for declaring the recent elections 'credible'. According to reports , this assertion contradicts widespread claims of irregularities and intimidation recorded during the voting period.

Morocco extends Independence Day congratulations to Burundi

On July 1, 2025, His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco congratulated Burundi's President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, on the country's 63rd independence anniversary. The message highlighted the strengthening cooperation between Morocco and Burundi, expressing hope for the continued growth of friendship between the two nations.

Burundi's cultural heritage celebrated during independence

Burundi celebrated its 63rd independence anniversary in Pretoria. The event featured the Royal Drum Dance, renowned for its cultural significance and recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, showcasing Burundi's commitment to preserving its rich traditions.

Violence linked to witchcraft accusations in Burundi

Six individuals were killed in Burundi due to accusations of witchcraft, with reports indicating involvement from the ruling party's youth group, Imbonerakure. According to local officials , brutal acts included beating and burning victims, underscoring ongoing human rights concerns and mob justice phenomena in the nation.

Regional Hospitality Trade Show in Nairobi

The Africa HORECA Expo Eastern Africa Edition was held on July 2, 2025, bringing hospitality leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi to Nairobi. This event is poised to enhance networking, showcase technological advancements, and address key industry challenges, supporting the growth of Eastern Africa's tourism sector.

Kenyan woman sentenced to death in Vietnam

A 37-year-old Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta, has been sentenced to death in Vietnam after being convicted of drug trafficking. The ruling was handed down by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City on March 6, following her arrest in July 2023 for smuggling more than two kilograms of cocaine through a local airport. Nduta passed undetected through three major international airports—Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, and Hamad International Airport in Qatar—before being caught in Vietnam. Read more here .

Women leading Africa’s tech revolution

Cameroon-based Data Girl Technologies is transforming the tech industry by empowering young African women with coding education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Co-founder Eposi Frida emphasised the importance of equipping women with the necessary skills to secure jobs or launch their own businesses. Read more here .

Burundi’s first plastic surgeon

Dr. Clovis Paulin Baramburiye, Burundi’s first plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is providing critical medical care in a country with limited access to specialized surgical procedures. After years of training in China, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, he now serves as a consultant at the University Hospital while teaching at the University of Burundi. His work includes reconstructive procedures for burn victims, cleft lip corrections, and treating severe infections. Read more here .

Latin America

Secret crematorium in Mexico

Authorities in Jalisco, Mexico, discovered a secret crematorium containing 200 pairs of shoes and burned human remains, raising concerns that it was used to dispose of missing persons. The discovery was made by Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, a group of families searching for their loved ones. The site is believed to have been operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, notorious for its involvement in drug and human trafficking. Read more here .

Cuba’s electrical grid collapses

Cuba’s national electrical grid failed late on Friday, plunging the country into darkness. A failure at an electrical substation in Havana knocked out power to a large part of western Cuba, including the capital. Reports indicate that much of the country’s 10 million residents were affected. Read more here .

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Southern Mexico

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Oaxaca, Mexico, triggering seismic alarms in the capital, Mexico City. The earthquake occurred near San Miguel Achiutla at a depth of 64 km. Authorities activated emergency protocols, but no major damage or casualties have been reported. Read more here .

Asia

Chad, Bangladesh, and Pakistan ranked world’s most polluted countries

A new IQAir report found that air pollution remains a severe issue, with Chad, Bangladesh, and Pakistan ranking as the most polluted countries in 2024. Chad’s air pollution level is more than 18 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety limit, followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan, which exceed the threshold by over 15 and 14 times, respectively. Read more here .

Pakistan’s ambassador deported from the US

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan , KK Ahsan Wagan, was denied entry into the United States and sent back from Los Angeles airport despite having a valid visa. US immigration officials cited controversial visa references as the reason for his deportation. Read more here .

Former Philippine President Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was arrested at Manila’s international airport upon his return from Hong Kong. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest, citing crimes against humanity related to his violent anti-drug campaign, which led to an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 deaths. Read more here .

His journey to plastic surgery was not easy he says.

After studying medicine in China, he returned home to teach human anatomy at the University of Burundi.

Despite his dream of training in plastic surgery there was no programme in his country and studying abroad was too expensive, so he began training in general surgery instead.

Everything changed when he got a scholarship to specialise in plastic surgery.

He had to leave behind years of general surgery training, but for him, it was not a difficult choice.

He moved to Rwanda for three years of training, then passed his final exams in Zimbabwe. In December 2023, he officially became a plastic surgeon.

Today, Dr. Baramburiye does a lot of things including teaching at the University of Burundi, leading the Department of Human Anatomy, and working as a consultant at the University Hospital.

His work involves much more than cosmetic surgery. He helps patients with severe burns, cleft lips, soft tissue infections, and other medical issues.

According to him, it becomes challenging sometimes because of inadequate equipment or lack of time in the operating room.

"For most reconstructive surgeries, basic instruments can work. But for cases like cleft palate, you need special retractors and calipers. Sometimes I'm challenged by these instruments, but I'm advocating to get what I need so I can do proper work," he told All Africa .

Despite the difficulties, he says his work is incredibly rewarding.

Many people in Burundi did not believe certain surgeries were possible until he started doing them. He loves seeing patients regain hope. Even simple procedures can make a huge difference because no one was doing them before.

He also believes technology and Artificial intelligence can greatly impact healthcare in Burundi.

"AI will play a big role," he said . "I was impressed by a software used in Rwanda to assess the severity of cleft cases. I think AI is going to make our lives way easier, but we need to handle it properly."

Dr. Baramburiye however notes that the lack of doctors in rural areas is one of the biggest barriers in the country. According to him, these professionals need better pay, equipment, and support so they can live comfortably while helping patients.

Dr. Baramburiye says Africa’s surgical training has improved a lot in recent years. Before, surgeons had to do everything—general surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery. But now, specialisation is possible, thanks to programmes like the College of Surgeons of East & Central and Southern Africa COSECSA , which offers affordable surgical training. He hopes more young doctors will follow their dreams, just like he did.

For him, the future of healthcare in Burundi depends on one simple thing: making sure doctors have what they need to do their jobs well.

Kenya security officials plead not guilty to triple murder

On Thursday, February 20, over a dozen Kenyan security officials pleaded not guilty to charges related to the 2022 killings of two Indians and one Kenyan—a high-profile case that was one of several incidents prompting the disbandment of a notorious police unit. Read more here .

Congo president plans unity government in response to eastern crisis

According to his spokesperson on Saturday, February 22, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is set to establish a unity government as he grapples with mounting domestic pressure over his response to an offensive by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern provinces. Read more here .

Influx of 40,000 fleeing Congo war worsens Burundi humanitarian plight, UN says

On Friday, February 21, the U.N. reported that Burundi is confronting a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis, with over 40,000 people seeking refuge there in just two weeks to escape fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more here .

Asia

Vietnam parliament approves plan for leaner government

The National Assembly of Vietnam approved a bold reform plan on February 18, aiming to reduce up to 20% of government bodies as the country seeks to cut costs and enhance administrative efficiency. Read more here .

Researchers discover world’s oldest pyramid in Indonesia

Researchers have discovered what may be the world's oldest pyramid, with the site known as Gunung Padang located in the hills of West Java, Indonesia. Read more here .

Philippines' VP Duterte fights back against impeachment: Video

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has petitioned the Supreme Court to dismiss an impeachment complaint filed against her, marking her first legal challenge in a case that could ultimately remove her from office and impose a lifetime ban on holding public office. Read more here .

Latin America

Bus crash in Brazil kills 12 university students

Late on Thursday, February 20, firefighters and local media reported that a bus transporting Brazilian university students collided with a truck near Ribeirao Preto in the southeastern state of São Paulo, resulting in 12 fatalities and 19 injuries. Read more here .

Five of Chile's stolen children take off to reunite with birth families

On Friday, five U.S. adoptees departed from Houston to reunite with their birth families in Chile for the first time, after being taken as infants during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. Read more here .

Panama will dismiss Chinese influence claims in a U.S. military meeting

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said Thursday he instructed the foreign minister to dismiss claims of Chinese influence over the Panama Canal in talks with the U.S. Southern Command chief. Read more here .

The Railway Gazette International reports that the project will start in Uvinza, Tanzania, and end in Musongati, Burundi. It will be built in two parts. The first section, in Tanzania, will run for about 120 km from Uvinza to the border at the Malagarasi River with a new bridge built to connect both sides. The second section, in Burundi, will extend north to Musongati.

China Railway Engineering Group and China Railway Engineering Design & Consulting Group will be responsible for building the railway.

Tanzania’s Finance Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, said the project is important because it is the first time the African Development Bank is helping to fund Tanzania’s railway system.

Once completed, the railway will make it easier for Burundi to export its minerals, including nickel, platinum, gold, and copper, to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The railway is expected to carry up to three million tonnes of goods every year.

Tanzania and Burundi agreed to build the railway in 2022 and the same year, signed a $2.2 billion contract with Chinese companies to build another railway line, which will link to this new project.

The doctors had demanded a fourfold salary increase, as many were earning just $170 a month.

They subsequently resigned from their private clinic jobs after government failed to heed their calls but continued working in public hospitals.

Following this, security forces began detaining them, accusing them of threatening national security .

A medical union says they were taken without arrest warrants and are being held in intelligence service cells.

A security official told Agence France-Presse that some patients may have died because the doctors left their jobs. The government has not officially commented, but a senior health ministry official confirmed the arrests.

Doctors now warn that if nothing changes, more could stop working. One doctor said the government should not be shocked if medical workers leave Burundi for better-paying jobs elsewhere.

The country has faced a shortage of doctors for years. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, more than 130 doctors left due to low salaries.

Somalia offered Burundi 1,041 troops for the mission, but Burundi wanted to deploy at least 2,000. The Burundian government said the offer was “inadequate and disrespectful.”

Despite discussions, no agreement was reached, local reports confirm.

According to Burundi’s embassy in Addis, Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the African Union conveyed Burundi’s unfortunate non-participation in AUSSOM following the lack of consensus.

Burundi has been a key contributor to peacekeeping in Somalia since 2007. Its troops have played a major role in fighting Al-Shabab militants and stabilising conflict areas under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which AUSSOM will replace.

Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, thanked Burundi for its past contributions and expressed regret over the decision. He also requested a technical team from Burundi to plan an orderly withdrawal of troops and handover of positions to Somali forces.

Burundi’s decision also comes amid pressure from its citizens over the loss of soldiers in the fight against Al-Shabab. Reports suggest resistance to deploying troops in the Gedo region, where tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia remain high, may have influenced the decision.

Burundi’s exit marks the end of a 16-year role in Somalia’s peacekeeping efforts. The African Union and other troop-contributing countries will now have to adjust plans to ensure AUSSOM can succeed in its mission.

However, the situation remains dire , with healthcare facilities struggling to keep up with the influx of patients.

The isolation centre at King Khaled Hospital in Bujumbura is overwhelmed with patients. Dr. Odette Nsavyimana, a dermatologist who is treating those infected, described the severity of the situation, noting that many patients arrive in critical condition with high fevers.

"Sometimes patients come to us in a severe, critical condition with a fever of 39 degrees, intense headaches and generalised skin eruptions, including vesiculo-pustular lesions. In such cases, an injectable treatment is given, as well as painkillers to soothe the patient, because these are very painful and itchy lesions that require emergency treatment," she said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak a global health emergency. The organisation is seeking $135 million to combat the outbreak over the next six months.

The new strain, known as Clade 1b, is more transmissible and deadly, contributing to the rapid increase in cases not only in Burundi but also in neighbouring countries like Kenya and Uganda.

According to a statement from the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Burundi has confirmed three cases of mpox in its western region, with the findings verified by national laboratories and the World Health Organization (WHO). Meanwhile, the DRC has reported over 21,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths since 2022.

EAC member states must provide the necessary information on the disease and take preventive measures," Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC deputy secretary-general said .

Mpox, caused by the mpox virus, can be transmitted from animals to humans and between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets. Preventive measures, including risk communication, community engagement, and enhanced surveillance, are crucial. Symptoms include rash, fever, headache, and muscle aches.

The public is advised on hygiene, personal protective measures, and seeking medical advice if necessary.

The EAC is convening a meeting of health experts to deliberate on the situation and has a partnership with the German Government and the Africa Centers for Disease Control for rapid deployment of experts.

The Uganda National Museum will close for ten months for extensive renovations starting August 1, 2024. The upgrades aim to preserve and enhance the museum's historical, cultural, and natural heritage. During the closure, visitors are encouraged to explore other cultural sites and monuments across Uganda. The closure is seen as a vital step to ensure the museum continues to serve as a premier site for both local and international visitors, Soft Power News reported.

Oil project

Kenya and Uganda are in talks about the Eldoret-Kampala oil pipeline project. The project aims to extend the pipeline to Uganda and potentially to Rwanda. This initiative comes after Uganda's shift to independent fuel imports and a recent agreement with Vitol Bahrain. Pumps Africa explained the pipeline concept was first proposed in 1995 and was revisited in 2024 after a feasibility study confirmed its viability. President Ruto and President Museveni have agreed to mobilize resources for the project.

Human skulls discovered

17 human skulls were found buried in metal boxes at a suspected shrine in Uganda. The discovery was made by children foraging for firewood. Police are conducting excavations to ensure all the skulls have been recovered and are investigating the circumstances behind their presence. According to The Guardian, the suspected owner of the shrine is on the run and has been linked to a separate murder case. Residents had previously gathered at the site for worship.

Monkeypox

The EAC has issued a notice to neighbouring countries regarding an outbreak of Monkeypox in Burundi and the DRC. Burundi has confirmed three cases and DRC has reported over 21,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths. Preventive measures, including risk communication, community engagement, and enhanced surveillance, are crucial. Symptoms include rash, fever, headache, and muscle aches. The public is advised on hygiene, personal protective measures, and seeking medical advice if necessary. The Independent reported the EAC is convening a meeting of health experts to deliberate on the situation and has a partnership with the German Government and the Africa Centers for Disease Control for rapid deployment of experts.

Terrorism

A Uganda court has charged 36 opposition supporters with terrorism. Third-party cookies and device identifiers are used to improve user experience and deliver relevant advertising. According to France 24 , personal information collected may be used for advertising, content personalization, and improving products and services.

Nzigiyimana Zabron, a citizen of Burundi, and Dominick Damian, a Tanzanian national, have been incarcerated on death row at Mwanza's Butimba Central Prison for over a decade, awaiting execution for their convictions of murder . For the past 12 years, they have been living in limbo, with their fate hanging in the balance, as they await the carrying out of their death sentences.

Despite growing opposition , Tanzania has retained the death penalty, which is enshrined in the country's Penal Code, making it one of several African countries retaining it. In 1999, the African Commission for Human and People's Rights called on African Union member states to observe a moratorium on capital punishment.

Only eight countries including Rwanda and Burundi have abolished the death penalty in law and practice in the past 10 years, while others are considering formal abolition. Tanzania's last execution was in 1995, and Kenya, which still sentences people to death was executed in 1987.

However, by May 2023, there were 691 prisoners in Tanzanian prisons awaiting execution of their death sentences.

In February 2024, Zimbabwe became the latest African nation to join the death penalty abolition train. President Emmerson Mnangagwa who almost experienced such a reality during his youthful days describes the act as "cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment".

In 2023, Ghana eliminated the death penalty for all offences, with the sole exception being high treason. This move was part of a broader trend in the region, as Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic had already completely eradicated capital punishment in 2022. These nations are among the eight African countries that have fully abolished the death penalty since 2014, marking a shift towards more humane forms of justice.

Residents along the coast of Lake Tanganyika have been cautioned about rising levels in the water body. According to Burundi Eco , lake waters are reaching record levels with recent rainfall, raising concerns among residents. Water levels are projected to reach 777m according to experts with the last maximum height observed standing at 776.39m on January 18. Environmentalists are predicting that the lake will record worse heights in the coming days.

Healthcare in prison

Two inmates at the Mpimba Central Prison in Burundi are facing health threats without any access to health care. According to local news outlet RPA , the two inmates, Etienne Nzeyimana suffering from intestinal obstruction and kidney failure, and Lambert Nduwarugira who has bladder and bowel movement issues will all have to be transferred to hospitals outside the detention house for care. They have allegedly been refused access by the director, Serge Nibigira.

Burundi Stock Market launched

The Burundi Stock Market has been launched according to Yaga Burundi , a local news outlet. The launch which took place on January 26 is aimed at boosting the business environment in the country. The stock market will be managed by Bourse du Burundi, a company formed by the Central Bank and 8 commercial banks. The Bank of the Republic of Burundi will be entitled to 25% of the shares according to the proposed shareholding structure.

Rising leprosy cases  

Leprosy cases in Burundi are on the rise with new cases recorded over the past 5 years. According to local news outlet Arib , 282 cases were reported in 2018 compared to 497 in 2022, both for contagious and non-contagious forms. This was revealed by the Health Ministry in a press release on January 28 during the World Day dedicated to Leprosy. This year’s event was themed, “End stigma and embrace dignity”.

Gender in politics

Gender quotas adopted by Burundi have led to an increase in politics by women in the country. The gender quotas were adopted by the country as a forward-looking solution to sustainable peace, according to the East African . Per data collated between October 2001 and June 2020, gender quotas have resulted in women being assigned to prominent ministerial portfolios according to the report. These women have meanwhile been confined to ‘feminine’, caregiving ministerial portfolios such as health and education for close to two decades.

What they said

"Today we closed the borders. And someone who will go there will not pass," Burundi's interior minister Martin Niteretse was quoted as saying by the local media, reports International media Reuters . He said Rwanda shelters criminals who harm Burundians. “Rwandan nationals, we don't want them,” Niteretse was quoted by The East African .  "This unfortunate decision will restrict the free movement of people and goods between the two countries, and violates the principles of regional cooperation and integration of the East African Community," said the Office of the Rwandan Government Spokesperson in a statement.

"The Initiative for Human Rights in Burundi has decided to focus on the behaviour of Burundian soldiers deployed in the province of South Kivu, a region which has received much less attention than recent events in North Kivu. Kivu,'' said Carina Tertsakian, a researcher at BHRI is quoted by RPA at the launch of the report.

The report read in part, "Victims and their family members said Burundian soldiers raped, kidnapped, arbitrarily detained, mistreated Congolese civilians and looted their property."

"In September 2022, for example, armed men in Burundian military uniforms speaking Kirundi, the language of Burundi, raped several Congolese women, then accused them of being the “wives” of Burundian armed group members. In another incident, also in September 2022, Burundian soldiers raped a Congolese woman and her 16-year-old sister-in-law, in front of her three children," the reports read.

However, the RED-Tabara rebel movement has vehemently rejected the report and questioned the claims made in the report.

The human rights organization also reports incidents involving members of the ruling party's youth league, the Imbonerakure, who allegedly fought alongside Burundian troops in the mentioned part of the DRC. One particularly disturbing incident in October 2022 is highlighted, where a member of the Imbonerakure reportedly subjected a Congolese woman to sexual violence by inserting the barrel of his gun into her vagina in the presence of her children.

"In October 2022, a member of the Imbonerakure inserted the barrel of his gun into the vagina of a Congolese woman in front of her children…In November 2022, members of the Rule of Law Resistance Movement kidnapped women and held them as sex slaves. For example, one woman was forced to live with RED-Tabara fighters for a month and was raped several times by their fighters during this period,” the report further added.

In 2021, the armed group known as M23, officially declared defeated in 2013, experienced a resurgence, carrying out at least ten attacks on army positions, as attributed by the Protection Cluster on January 11, 2022. The region, particularly in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, has also witnessed numerous intercommunal conflicts, contributing to ongoing disputes, Reliefweb reports.

BHRI submitted its written findings and queries to several key figures, including President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi's Minister of Defence Alain Tribert Mutabazi, Chief-of-Staff of the National Defence Force Prime Niyongabo, Deputy Commander of Land Forces Ignace Sibomana, Former Commander of the Burundian contingent in North Kivu Ildephonse Baranyikwa, and the Minister of Defence of the DRC Jean-Pierre Bemba. This was done prior to publication, aiming to incorporate their responses. The sole official to respond was Prime Niyongabo, who expressed interest in a pre-written reply meeting with BHRI.

Burundi has ratified the Geneva Conventions, is obligated to adhere to international humanitarian law, commonly referred to as the "laws of war."

"At first, people cough for a long time. Afterwards, they begin to have fever and headaches. The most threatened are children and the elderly. Once in the hospital, they are tested to see if they do not suffer from malaria, but the results are all negative," a resident told RPA.

Faced with this alarming situation, residents have urged the government to equip local health facilities with the necessary means and equipment to identify and address the disease promptly.

"The last two weeks, at least 14 people have died on the only sub-hill of Mukaza, Mugera Hill. We have also heard that in other hills like Kaniha and everywhere else, people die in large numbers,” said another source in Mishiha, a commune in the Cankuzo province.

Residents in Cankuzo have expressed concerns that these deaths may be attributed to COVID-19 and have urged the government, specifically the Ministry of Public Health, to supply the necessary resources for coronavirus screening in health institutions within the province to prevent further fatalities.

According to sources, 14 individuals with these symptoms have already died, and an additional two patients, displaying similar signs, including a national from Muyaga Hill, a forest in Rwanda passed away at Cankuzo Hospital, the report disclosed.

This will be subdivided into three lots: Tabora – Kigoma (411 km) and Uvinza – Malagarasi (156 km) sections in Tanzania; and the Malagarasi –Musongati section (84 km) in Burundi. This standard gauge railway project will be connected to the existing railway network of Tanzania, providing access to the port of Dar es Salaam.

The first phase of the project comprised a total of 400 kilometres of rail infrastructure built in Tanzania from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. The rest of the section from Dodoma to Tabora is under construction.

The African Development Bank Group will extend $98.62 million in grants to Burundi and $597.79 million in loans and guarantees to Tanzania. In its role as the Initial Mandate Lead Arranger (IMLA), the Bank will structure and mobilize financing amounting to up to $3.2 billion from commercial banks, Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), and institutional investors. The overall project cost, covering both Tanzania and Burundi, is projected to be nearly $3.93 billion.

The establishment of this railway will enable Burundi to enhance the extraction of nickel, as it possesses the 10th largest deposit globally in the Musongati mining fields. Additionally, the country holds resources like lithium and cobalt, which are anticipated to generate substantial revenue through the rail connection with the port of Dar es Salaam, currently handling 80% of the country's import and export trade.

Additionally, frequent disputes arise with employers demanding payment for services rendered during these periods of scarcity.

Aside from drivers, owners of construction companies are grappling with significant challenges due to the shortage of fuel oil. Construction companies are experiencing substantial shortfalls, leading to difficulties in meeting contractual deadlines and incurring penalties for delayed projects.

The situation is further exacerbated by the escalating costs associated with vehicles transporting construction materials, adding financial strain for contractors, as highlighted by a contractor who secured a contract for building a school establishment.

"When construction materials are lacking on the site, workers cannot work. So, they are not going to receive their full monthly salary, because instead of working for 30 days, they only work for 15 or 20 days because of the lack of construction materials,” a contractor told RPA.

“A kilogram of potatoes which sold for 1500 BIF, is currently 1800 BIF. The price of a kilo of bananas, which was 1,200 BIF, is sold at 1,500 BIF… the price of 20 litres of fuel oil currently costs 150 thousand BIF on the black market. A price which is very high, which means that some of us have decided to park our vehicles, ” a resident of Nyakabiga zone added.

While fuel crises have been recurrent over the months, Burundians have made incessant calls on the government to take decisive action to address the problem.

The 51-year-old Bunyoni faced the charges with six other defendants.

Along with seizing his assets, the court sentenced three of the defendants each to fifteen years in prison, three-year sentences each for two other defendants, and acquitted the last defendant of all charges, Iwacu reported.

Bunyoni was sworn in as prime minister in June 2020 by the President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye. He was dismissed in September 2022 after the president hinted at a coup plot against him.

The prime minister position of the East African nation was reestablished in 2020 with Bunyoni's appointment after being abolished in 1998.

Burundi’s Supreme Court has sentenced former Prime Minister, Alain-Guilaume Bunyoni to life imprisonment over attempts to overthrow the government and threatening the life of the president. According to local news outlet Arib News, the former prime minister was accused of seven crimes including plotting against the head of state to overthrow the constitutional regime, an attempted assassination of the head of state in the aid of fetishes, insulting the Head of State and the Prime Minister or even undermining the internal security of the State,” announced a judicial source, on condition of anonymity.

Amendment proposal for gender-based violence laws

Amnesty International has called on the government of Burundi to take action towards the amendment of the country’s laws on gender-based violence. The human rights organization argues that the 2016 law falls far short of regional and international best practices. A report by local news outlet RPA indicates that Amnesty is concerned about the laws violating human rights including the right to privacy and non-discrimination despite having others that protect citizens against rape. The NGO also raises concerns about inconsistencies between the GBV law and the 2017 Penal Code which create uncertainty as to the provisions that judges should apply.

World Bank projects

The World Bank of Directors has adopted a $100 million project to meet the urgent needs of Burundi’s private sector. The Project for Employment and Economic Transformation aims to promote access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The project which was designed to respond to the urgent needs of the private sector will also improve the business climate towards economic growth and job creation of more than 115,000 direct and indirect jobs. It is expected to last for a period of over five years, Burundi Eco reported.

Oil palm cultivation losses

The National Communication Network for Disaster Risk Reduction has revealed that certain communes of Rumonge Province have raised a cry of alarm over oil palm cultivation which is being threatened by the effects of climate change. According to Burundi Eco , The Palm Oil Office (OHP) has also alerted that more than flooding has destroyed several hectares of oil palm cultivation leading to huge losses for farmers. They fear that the price of palm oil will be revised upwards following production.

UN appointment

Séraphine Wakana originally from Burundi has been appointed as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, with the approval of the host government. Ms Wakana has over 28 years of experience in coordination, policy engagement, economics and development planning, Arib News has reported. Prior to her current appointment, she served as United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, where she led the UN's efforts to support The Gambia's national development priorities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

Her responsibility as a mediator particularly comes into play during the harvest season in the province where domestic violence is prevalent in many households.

During this period, some husbands and men take the produce of their wives from the farms and sell them. They also take concubines in the process and some of these women destroy families, this is where her role comes in as a mediator.

“They spend their time consuming the sweat of their wives in bars and sometimes they take concubines.

“It's been a while since we were putting a group of women in the commune of Gihanga, province of Bubanza, out of harm's way, who had set themselves the objective of destroying families," she told Burundi Eco .

One challenge she mentioned was how the police reacted to such cases. According to Ngendakuriyo, police sometimes release culprits who are submitted to them without executing any form of punishment.

She has formed 11 women’s associations, bringing in between 10 and 15 women in each group in the commune of Mpanda. These women groups support each other through group trading of local produce including palm oil, rice, corn and others.

Ngendakuriyo also told Burundi Eco that some of these women who work alone request credits from microfinance such as CECM and Eden Microfinance.

As more women seek mediation in the area, leading mediators like Ngendakuriyo have also begun training other mediators to take over from them when they retire to keep the peace and development in the community.