IWACU English News

Politics

Burundians have had it, says former Burundi President

02-10-2020 In an interview with Iwacu, the former Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye expresses himself on the issues of the moment in the country. The parliament recently passed a bill which grants many advantages to the former Heads of state. What’s your reaction to that? Compared to the existing law, this (...)
Media

Iwacu journalists sentenced to two years and six months in prison

02-02-2020 On Thursday 30 January, the long-awaited verdict for Agnès, Christine, Egide, Térence and their driver Adolphe, was rendered. These four media professionals were sentenced to two years and 6 months in prison. Following a public hearing held in Bubanza High Court, only Adolphe, the driver who had been provisionally (...)
Politics

Kirundo: CNL party members beaten at cemetery

01-27-2020 The Inyankamugayo (members of the opposition CNL party) from different communes of Kirundo province have been going through an ordeal. They face verbal threats, they are beaten, their crops are destroyed, etc. Iwacu reporters conducted an investigation in Kirundo, Bugabira and Bwambarangwe communes. Surprised by a crowd of young (...)
Society

COSSESSONA, union that arrested unionists

01-20-2020 The two representatives of SYGEPEBU and SEPEDUC trade unions are jailed in Bujumbura. The origin of their imprisonment is the resistance of these unions to forcibly join COSSESSONA, the coalition of teachers’ unions. It’s panic among other affiliates… The two unionists, currently in jail, never thought it would take (...)
Politics

REACTIONS: “International support for press freedom in Burundi is real”

01-16-2020 The European Parliament today adopted a resolution condemning the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi in the run-up to the May 2020 elections. Parliamentarians have called for the release of Iwacu journalists. Tom Gibson of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes the resolution. How did (...)
Politics

Hanged and his tongue severed. Who killed Corporal Macumi?

01-13-2020 After his death on 29 December, Tharcisse Macumi, a corporal of the 22nd Battalion located in Gitega commune of Gitega province, was found two days later, hanged and his tongue cut in a huge bush on Mwumba hill of the same commune. Who killed him and for what reasons? (...)
Justice

Victims of WhatsApp joke

01-06-2020 The public prosecutor has demanded that the 4 journalists of Iwacu newspaper and their driver be sentenced to fifteen years in prison over a WhatsApp joke. There are also other penalties. The office of the Director of public prosecutions only based upon a message from Agnès Ndirubusa to incriminate (...)
Politics

Burundi President pleads for “fair trial” for Iwacu journalists in jail

12-30-2019 After a largely positive assessment he made for almost 15 years as the president of the Republic of Burundi, the recommendations for his successor, Pierre Nkurunziza shed light on the current people’s concerns during a publhttps://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englishnews/wp-admin/profile.phpic broadcast. It was last Thursday, December 26, in Gitega province. Here are some (...)
Politics

Kirundo / Political intolerance

12-22-2019 Livestock and crops of CNL party members under threat Devastated crops, slaughtered cattle in addition to physical assault and imprisonment, persecution against the Inyankamugayo (CNL party members) in Kirundo province seem widespread. Iwacu reporters carried out an investigation in the communes of Kirundo, Busoni and Gitobe. The last two (...)
Economy

Rise in food price seriously affects families in Gitega

12-21-2019 Food price has drastically increased these days in Gitega central market and shops. Consumers deplore speculation. When one arrives at the central market of Gitega province chief town in central Burundi, stands and stalls are full of products. Standing in front of the business owner, Claudine came to get (...)