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Economy

Fuel shortage: Is temporary relief over?
05-30-2017
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From last week, the public sighed with relief that there were signs the fuel shortage that had rocked the nation over several weeks was to end soon. But the problem reoccurs bringing with it its nightmarish events. On Tuesday morning, many of service stations were dry, and vehicles built (...)
Education

Six “unauthorized” basic schools to be closed in Bujumbura
05-30-2017
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“We don’t know what will happen. Teachers are not regular and we are afraid our school program won’t be completed”, says a student from the “ Ecole Fondamentale De la Chance de Kanyosha”. He says they have begun the school year at 150, but now, they are four students (...)
Security

Burundi troops make “big sacrifice” in UN peacekeeping mission, says army spokesman
05-30-2017
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The Burundi army says its troops contribute in UN peacekeeping missions at a high price, including giving up lives. As the world celebrated the International Day of UN peacekeepers on Tuesday, Burundi army said “Burundi military plays an important role in peacekeeping missions in which they pay a big (...)
Society

Gasenyi: Evicted families return to presidential palace under construction
05-29-2017
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Four families live in the huts built near the new presidential palace under construction in Gasenyi I of Mutimbuzi commune in Bujumbura Province since the past three days. “We have nowhere to go”, says Joseph Ntahomvukiye, a father of five. He says the host family was no longer able (...)
Society

Charity Club calls on wealthy people to help poor communities
05-29-2017
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Students from Burundi American International Academy (BAIA) gathered in Charity Club provided assistance with rice, beans and soaps to 10 families and 48 children from the Buterere Batwa Community. Each family received 25 kg of rice, 15 kg of beans and about ten soaps. The beneficiaries say they also (...)
EAC integration

Summit of surprises
05-29-2017
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The long awaited meeting of the East African Community Heads of State took place on 20 May. It particularly led to the support for the position taken by Burundi against the EU. Bujumbura was seething since the announcement of the summit of Heads of State of the East African (...)
Politics

Exclusion of “wanted” civil society leaders causes controversy at Burundi peace talks
05-26-2017
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The celebrated human rights defender Pierre Claver Mbonimpa on Thursday expressed his “surprise” that the inter-Burundian dialogue process excludes a number of key civil society leaders because they are in conflict with the government. He spoke at the end of the latest round of dialogue briefing, held in Entebbe, (...)
EAC integration

“Sanctions against Burundi”, only EAC pretext for refusal to sign EPA, says local NGO
05-24-2017
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PARCEM says, to show solidarity, the EAC region should carry out concrete actions to help Burundi overcome its socio-economic and political woes. PARCEM, a local NGO, dismisses the claim that East African Community refusal to sign the EAC-EU Economic Pact Agreement (EPA) has something to do with solidarity with (...)
Health

Ending obstetric fistula in Burundi hampered by ignorance
05-24-2017
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Obstetric fistula is both preventable and curable. Ending it in Burundi is mainly hindered by ignorance. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) officials in Burundi say the public lacks basic knowledge about obstetric fistula. Many people don’t know how to prevent it. They are not even aware that it (...)
Society

Burundi refugees to over half million by end 2017, UNHCR warns
05-24-2017
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UN Refugee Agency is concerned about the unstable situation in Burundi which continues to drive people to flee to neighboring countries for their safety. “Arriving refugees continue to cite human rights abuses, fear of persecution and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) as reasons for fleeing”, says Babar Baloch, UNHCR (...)