12-27-2016 ■ Members of SYNAPA Union at Kamenge Neuropsychiatric Center-CNPK section have decided to extend the strike notice by three weeks. They say the health ministry has promised to find an immediate solution to their problems in a meeting held with the union on 16 December. The causes of CNPK section (...)

12-27-2016 ■ On 26 December, Burundi Alcohol Policy Alliance-BAPA, a coalition of eight civil society associations fighting against alcohol abuse, called on the Burundian authorities to introduce a legislation regulating the consumption and marketing of alcoholic beverages. Séraphine Manirambona, Chairwoman of BAPA says that despite the fact that everyone is aware (...)

12-26-2016 ■ Public security officials say they have taken necessary measures to make sure residents of capital Bujumbura spend Christmas and New Year parties in security. “Security prevails. All measures have been taken to ensure people celebrate Christmas and New Year festivities in peace”, said Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, Minister of Public (...)

12-26-2016 ■ President Pierre Nkurunziza announced prosecutions against the African Union in compensation for Burundian troops in Somalia. Written by Agnès Ndirubusa and Christian Bigirimana. Translated by Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana “Burundians have got a gift, that of engaging in legal proceedings and not letting go of the case”, said President Pierre (...)

12-24-2016 ■ Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Burundi’s finance minister presented a draw law outlining a number of austerity measures to the National Assembly on 22 December for 2017. Parliamentarians then discussed the austerity policy. The new budget was eventually voted in by 11O MPs out of the 111. 2017 will be characterised by (...)

12-24-2016 ■ Two NGOs have decried a series of austerity measures the government of Burundi has adopted in its 2017 budget. The austerity measures are aimed at trying to remain on two feet in the face of a faltering national economy, mainly due to cuts of foreign sponsors on which it (...)

12-24-2016 ■ On 23 December, the National Assembly adopted a draft law amending the general framework of cooperation between the Government of Burundi and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Article 18 (4) of the draft law stipulates that the recruitment of local staff must be carried out in accordance with the ethnic (...)

12-22-2016 ■ In a commentary on the 2017 budget presented by the president of the general accounting office on 21 December in the National Assembly, different MPs proposed the review of the policy to reduce state owned vehicles (Charroi Zero). BIF 2.4 bn have been proposed to be used in the (...)

12-22-2016 ■ While presenting the annual report of activities carried out by the Ministry of Public Security on 21 December, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, Minister of Public Security said the year 2016 was characterized by heightened security throughout the country. He, however, evoked some cases of assassinations, enforced disappearances and armed attacks (...)

12-21-2016 ■ “We have accomplished much and there are many more activities to do next year”, said Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, the Defense Minister as he presented his ministry’s accomplishments for this year and plans for 2017. He said that among the many plans the ministry has, it will work towards the creation (...)