President Evariste Ndayishimiye has said that the East African nation will head to the ballot box in June to elect local officials.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) ruled late Tuesday that candidates belonging to a four-party Burundi for All coalition –- recognised by the interior ministry on December 17 — would be excluded from standing.

Candidates for the coalition would be unable to run because three of its members belong to the suspended opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL), in contradiction to electoral laws.

“The deputies in question are Agathon Rwasa, Euphrasie Mutenzinka and Anatole Karorero,” the CNL told AFP Wednesday, saying the candidates were just three from one province out of five, excluded from running.

A presidential runner-up and former militia leader, Rwasa was removed as leader of the CNL in March. He has challenged the decision in court.

A political analyst, who requested anonymity, said the government had “done everything in its power to keep Agathon Rwasa out of the electoral race”.

The move follows a December decree, in which independent candidates are only eligible to contest the polls if they have not been a political party member for at least one year.

Additionally, former members of a party’s governing body can only stand as independent candidates after the lapse of two years since their resignation or ouster from the party.

At the time, critics said the move had been “tailor-made” to prevent Rwasa from running.

He came second to Ndayishimiye in the 2020 election, which the opposition said was flawed.

Ndayishimiye has been praised for gradually ending years of isolationism under former president Pierre Nkurunziza’s chaotic and bloody rule.

But Burundi’s human rights record remains poor, with ongoing reports of repression against journalists, activists and opposition figures.

By AFP

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The Malkia Strikers were merciless against the Burundians, who have lost all their games, hammering them by three unanswered sets.

Kenya picked the first set 8-25, second set 9-25 and third set 11-25 to seal the dominant show.

Read: Malkia Strikers Bounce Back Against Tunisia

The Malkia Strikers, who started their group campaign with a loss to defending champions Cameroon, will face hosts Rwanda in the round of four.

It is highly likely that Kenya, who are nine-time African champions will again face Cameroon in this edition’s final.

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The EALS filed a petition at the Arusha-based regional courts accusing Uganda’s government of shutting down social media and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) access in the country prior to imposing a total internet shutdown in the country on January 13,2021. Uganda’s general elections were held early this year on January 14.

“Such actions are part of a worrying and growing trend of mass censorship and intolerance to dissent within the member states of the East African Community (EAC),” EALS President Mr Bernard Oundo said in a statement.

Read: Facebook Condemns Social Media and Internet Blackouts in Africa

According to the Regional entity, locking citizens out of social media goes violates the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights.

Tanzania and Burundi were also reported for carrying out similar practices during their election period.

“The restrictions and shutdowns are unlawful,” Mr.Odundo stressed, adding that the actions go against the EAC treaty, the country’s domestic laws and international laws for human rights.

Read also: President Museveni Defends Social Media Shutdown As Criticism Mounts

The United Nations believes that access to the internet in this digital age contributes to the broader range of human rights including freedom of expression, freedom of information, the right to assemble and association, the right to health care and standard quality of life through economic activity.

Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that governments are required to adhere to their international human rights commitments. Nations are only required to carry out legal, necessary, and proportional restrictive measures on freedom of expression in exceptional cases legal.

“If not addressed in time and checked, the rising trend of internet censorship in East Africa will only deepen,” Mr. Oundo cautioned.

Read also: These Sub-Saharan African Countries Lost Sh26 billion Due to Internet Shutdowns in 2020

The EALS is seeking compensation for inconvenience and losses suffered by the Ugandan citizens, with a declaration of the violation by Uganda’s Attorney General and the EAC Secretary-General.

The petition also seeks to compel Uganda to implement legal reforms with the supervision of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) to ensure the action is not replicated in the future.

“We hope that the Reference will serve as a deterrent for EAC member states and send the message that illegal actions will not be ignored or taken lightly,” Mr Oundo said. “We call upon the peoples of the EAC and Civil Society Organisations to remain vigilant in holding the governments of East Africa accountable so that together, we can make the EAC a law-abiding community, one people, one destiny.”

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According to a Top10VPN report, internet shutdowns across the globe have caused overall economic losses totaling up to $4.01 billion in 2020, down 50 percent from the figures in 2019. The cases were also less compared to 2019, but the report showed that they lasted longer by 74 percent despite the pandemic.

The Sub-Saharan countries included in the list are Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Chad, Guinea, Burundi, and Togo, all of which experienced various shutdowns in 2020.

Read: Ethiopia Suffers Sh10 Billion Loss Following Internet Shut Down

Uganda started off the year with internet and social media shutdowns around the January 14 election period that saw President Yoweri Museveni re-elected.

The economic impact of the shutdowns in the region declined 810 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. This was a significant drop compared to countries that experienced higher economic impact with India topping the list after it lost $2.3 billion in 2020 compared to $1.3 billion in 2019.

The economic costs are calculated based on national and regional Gross Domestic Products (GDPs), or economic value of Internet users in the affected region.

Read also: Twitter Criticizes Tanzanian Gov’t Over Internet Restrictions

The issue of Internet moderation and outright censorship also arose as it emerged that all disruptions are sanctioned by the government.

Ethiopia suffered a series of consecutive shutdowns following protests over the killing of a popular singer, the national elections, and tribal conflicts in Tigray. The Top10VPN report shows that the cumulative shutdown hours amounted to 1,536 affecting 9.5 million users. As a result, the country suffered economic losses amounting to $111.3 million.

Sudan was the worst-hit Sub-Saharan country and second globally after it lost $1.9 billion due to disruptions in 2019. Last year, the country imposed shutdowns in the country aimed at curbing examination malpractices. This was in sharp contrast to the shutdowns imposed in 2019 arising from civil unrest and electoral chaos. The country suffered a $68.7 million loss due to the disruptions within 36 hours.

Read also: TunnelBear Offers Zimbabweans 10GB Free Data Ahead of Protests

Tanzania experienced 168 hours of social media shutdown and 264 hours of total Internet disruption ahead of the presidential elections. The country lost $27.5 million within the period.

Chad citizens spent 4,608 hours shut out of social media and complete internet shutdown in a move aimed at curbing “misinformation” following the death of a civilian at the hands of a military officer. As a result, the country lost $23.1 million.

Guinea lost $6.1 million within 238 hours while Burundi and Togo lost less than $300,000 after 24 hours of internet and social media shutdowns during the election period.

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She was airlifted to Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi after contracting the deadly COVID-19.

Kahawa Tungu reported that Mrs Nkurunziza arrived in the capital city aboard Amref plane registration 5Y-FDP around 10 AM according to online flight logs.

Her departure from Bujumbura was treated with a lot of secrecy as most of the airport staff were barred from accessing her records while the airport manager personally processed her travel documents.

Now, the BBC reports, Mrs Nkurunziza, a philanthropist landed on Tuesday evening, hours after her husband Pierre Nkurunziza’s passing.

Online sources indicate that the former immigration officer landed at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura last evening.

“Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza arrived on board a non-medicalised flight by the Kenyan private company Phoenix. It was a jet with the captain and the co-pilot only,” SOS Media Burundi reported.

She was apparently received by Kenyan Ambassador to Burundi Ken Vitisia.

Government officials who spoke to BBC denied reports that she was receiving treatment for COVID-19.

Her husband passed on two days ago over what the state claimed was a cardiac arrest.

He died at Cinquantenaire Hospital where he had been hospitalised.

Whereas the government indicated in a statement on Tuesday evening that the outgoing Head of State died following a cardiac arrest, sources indicate that he died from Covid-19 related complications.

“He watched a volleyball match on Saturday afternoon in Ngozi but became unwell later that night. He was rushed to hospital and by Sunday his health had improved. He was able to interact with people who were around him,” a statement from the government spokesperson read in part.

The Burundian Government has announced seven days of national mourning and the country’s flags will fly half-mast during this period.

The departed head of state kept mum on the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Nkurunziza had not taken any measures to contain the spread of the disease such as social distancing and wearing of masks like many East African countries.

The Burundi government had last month ordered the country’s top World Health Organization (WHO) representative and three other experts coordinating the novel coronavirus response to leave the country.

Burundi, through its foreign ministry in a letter dated May 12 said the four officials “are declared persona non grata and as such, must leave the territory of Burundi”.

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The first lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza was flown to Nairobi, making her the second high profile Burundi official flew out of the country for treatment after getting infected with COVID-19.

Mrs Denise Nkurunziza was flown aboard Amref plane registration 5Y-FDP today around 10 AM according to online flight logs. Her departure from Bujumbura was in secret as most of the airport staff were barred from accessing her records while the airport manager personally processed her travel documents.

She reportedly arrived at the airport in a convoy of 7 high-end cars, including 2 military escorts. She was escorted by at least 3 state ministers and Deputy Chief of State Protocol Albert Nasasagare. The plane departed Burundi at 10:10 AM Central African time and landed at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport at exactly 10:14 AM.

Denise Nkurunziza is second after Health Minister Thaddee Ndikumana who was flown to Nairobi on 21 May aboard AMREF plane. He arrived in Nairobi some minutes before 7 PM.

24/05/2020 @dr_JeanBosco , Porte Parole du @mspls_bi dément les informations persistantes sur les réseaux sociaux selon lesquelles le Ministre du @mspls_bdi @dr_thaddee serait testé positif au #COVIDー19. Ceux qui font circuler de telles rumeurs ont d’autres visées dont on ignore pic.twitter.com/24gwgY1sQs

— Ministère de la Santé Publique Burundi(MSPLS) (@mspls_bdi) May 24, 2020

Burundi’s Health Ministery has refused to admit that the first lady and the minister are in Nairobi for COVID-19 treatment. Through Twitter, a health ministry official has insisted that the minister is in Nairobi for other treatment and not COVID-19.

Burundi has kept information on the infections away from the public as many are reported to be suffering while the country goes about as if everything is normal.

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FT' |

Kenya 5-0 Burundi
Dorcus Nixon
Jentrix Shikangwa
Mwanalima Jereko
Jentrix Shikangwa
Corazone Aquino #CECAFAWomenChallengeCup @Cecafafootball1 @azamtvtz @CAF_Online @fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/MSvUwv5Sb9

— TFF TANZANIA (@Tanfootball) November 23, 2019

Starlets remain unbeaten in the regional tournament. The Kenya national women’s side hammered rivals Uganda 3-0 in their last group match.

Before that they beat Ethiopia 2-0 and Djibouti 12-0.

Starlets will face either defending champions Tanzania or Uganda in the final.

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Wasichana hao, na wengine wanne ambao waliachiliwa kwa njia tatanishi, walikamatwa kwa madai ya kumkejili raisi Nkurunziza kupitia michoro katika madaftari yao.

Kukamatwa kwa wanafunzi hao kulikashifiwa katika mitandao ya kijamii haswa Twitter kwa kutumia hashitegi #FreeOurGirls.

Wengi wanaamini kuwa mchango wao ndio uliopelekea wasichana hao wenye umri mdogo kuachiliwa.

Duru za kuaminika zinaarifu kuwa licha ya kuachiliwa mwezi uliopita kutoka gereza la Ngozi walimokuwa wamefungiwa, serikali haikutupilia mbali kesi dhidi yao.

Kulingana na shirika la kupigania haki za kibinadamu almaarufu Human Rights Watch, kesi iyo ilichangia kufurushwa kwa wasichana hao shuleni.

“Ni vizuri waliachiliwa lakini tumekuja kugundua kuwa serikali haikutupilia mbali kesi dhidi yao, watatu hao sasa wamefurushwa shuleni, ” mkurugenzi wa shirika la HRW alidokezea vyombo vya habari.

Mudge alidokeza kuwa wanafunzi hao, waliokuwa wakisomea shule ya Ecofo Akamuri iliyoko Kirundo, nchini Burundi, hawana budi ila kusalia nyumbani.

Kulingana na barua kutoka shule iyo iliyoandikwa Machi 20, wanafunzi hao walienda kinyume na sheria za masomo katika kituo hicho cha mafundisho.

“Kwa mjibu wa sheria za shule hii, kipengele cha 31 aya ya 28, wanafunzi hawa watano wamefurushwa kutoka shule hii,” barua iyo ambayo imetiwa sahihi na mkuu wa shule iyo Isaie Nkinzingabo imenukuliwa.

Soma:Burundi Yawaachilia Huru Wanafunzi Waliomkejeli Raisi Nkurunziza Kupitia Michoro

Nkinzingabo aliwaagiza wanafunzi hao kutafuta shule nyingine ili kuyaendeleza masomo yao.

Kulingana na HRW, si mara ya kwanza visa kama ivyo kushuhudiwa nchini Burundi.

Mwaka wa 2016, wanafunzi wanane wa shule ya upili walikamatwa kwa madai ya kumshurutisha raisi Nkurunziza atoke mamlakani kupitia kwa madaftari yao.

Mwaka huo huo, mamia ya wanafunzi walikamatwa kwa tuhuma za kumkashfu Rais baada ya kuchora michoro isiyofaa dhidi yake.

Watetezi wa haki za kibinadamu nchini humo wamekashifu utawala wa Rais Nkurunziza kwa wanachokitaja kuwa unyanyasaji wa haki za wanafunzi wasiokubaliana na uongozi wake.

Raisi Nkurunziza aliingia mamlakani mnamo mwaka 2005. Aliweza kuchaguliwa tena mwaka wa 2015 licha ya upinzani mkubwa kutoka kwa wananchi kwa madai ya kuzidisha kipindi chake ofisini.

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Kwa mujibu wa waziri wa haki wa nchi hiyo Bwana Aimee Laurentine Kanyana aliyekuwa akizungumza na wanahabari, wasichana hao wenye umri wa miaka 15, 16 na 17 wameachiliwa huru kwa sasa.

Waziri huyo aliwaomba wazazi kuwaelekeza wanao vyema.

“Tunawaomba wazazi kuwapa wanao mafunzo mema kwa kila wanachojishirikisha nacho. Kadhalika, ningependa kuwaonya wanafunzi wetu kuwa yeyote ambaye amefikisha umri wa miaka kumi na tano au zaidi anaweza kuchukuliwa hatua kali za kisheria iwapo atapatikana akifanya uhalifu wowote ule.” alisema Bwana Kanyana.

Kukamatwa kwa wanafunzi hao kulikashifiwa katika mitandao ya kijamii haswa Twitter kwa kutumia hashitegi #FreeOurGirls.

Wengi wanaamini kuwa mchango wao ndio uliopelekea wasichana hao wenye umri mdogo kuachiliwa.

Kulikua na hofu kuwa wasichana hao wangefungwa gerezani kwa miaka mitano.

Soma:Wanafunzi Watatu Nchini Burundi Wakabiliwa Na Kifungo Gerezani Kwa Kumchora Rais Nkurunziza Kikejeli

Vyombo vya habari nchini Burundi viliripoti kuwa wanafunzi hao walikamatwa na wengine wanne, ambao waliachiliwa baadaye katika hali tatanishi.

Sio mara ya kwanza nchi hiyo imejipata kwenye kurunzi la kimataifa kwa kuwakamata wanafunzi wanaokejeli kiongozi wa nchi.

Mnamo mwaka wa 2016, vyombo vya dola nchini humo viliwakamata wanafunzi wanane wa shule ya sekondari kwa tuhuma za kumkashfu Rais baada ya kuchora michoro isiyofaa dhidi yake.

Watetezi wa haki za kibinadamu nchini humo wamekashifu utawala wa Rais Nkurunziza kwa wanachokitaja kuwa unyanyasaji wa haki za wanafunzi wasiokubaliana na uongozi wake.

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The ‘Intamba m’Urugamba’ needed at least a draw in their final Group C qualifier against Gabon to sail through for the very first time.

And before a fully packed Stade du Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura on Saturday they managed to hold their nerves for for a 1-1 draw.

Cedric Amissi put the hosts in the lead in the 76th minute with a well connected cross but a Omar Ngando own goal cancelled things out five minutes later.

However, Gabon with Arsenal striker Pierre Emmerick Aubameyang as their skipper could not find the winner.

Read:CAF President Ahmad Denied Visa To Enter US

Burundi joins Uganda and Kenya as the other East African countries which have made the cut.

The number could reach four on Sunday if Tanzania beat Uganda in Dar Es Salaam in their do or die Group L match.

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