04-18-2018 ■ During a visit that he conducted to IWACU Press Group on 17 April, Mr. Thomas Strieder, Ambassador of Germany to Burundi has said “Iwacu represents media freedom in the country.” Ambassador Strieder has said he appreciates the work done by Iwacu despite a number of challenges.”It takes courage to (...)

04-18-2018 ■ “Opponents are threatened and arbitrarily killed,” reads the report released by Human Rights Watch on human rights situation in Burundi on 17 April. According to this NGO, Burundians suspected of opposing the referendum are mistreated. Human Rights Watch has recorded 19 cases of abuse since 12 December 2017. It (...)

04-17-2018 ■ While 16April is the international day for the abolition of child slavery, child rights activist says the latter affects most poor families and orphans who are left to struggle on their own. Ferdinand Simbaruhije, Secretary General of Burundi National Federation of Child Rights Organizations (FENABEB), says there are two (...)

04-17-2018 ■ More than 250 families in Gatumba zone of Mutimbuzi commune in western Bujumbura are homeless. Their houses were destroyed following the heavy rain that has fallen since 10 April. The large part of Gatumba area is flooded. The locals no longer go about their daily activities because for some, (...)

04-16-2018 ■ The Episcopal Conference of Burundi Catholic Bishops (CECAB) is worried about the forcing used in the collection of contributions to the 2020 elections. The Ministry of the Interior reassures. The Catholic Bishops of Burundi say the majority of people to whom the government asks for contributions are also members (...)

04-13-2018 ■ Bernard Ndayisenga, an MP elected from the political coalition of the opposition Amizero y’Abarundi, was beaten up in the morning of 13 April in Kanyosha neighborhood, in south of the capital Bujumbura. Kanyosha residents blame members of the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD. Pierre Célestin Ndikumana, the chairman (...)

04-13-2018 ■ Ali Bongo, Gabonese President and Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States is in Burundi for a one-day-visit, this 13 April. On his arrival at Bujumbura International Airport at around 11:30, he was welcomed by Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza. He says he has visited Burundi within the (...)

04-13-2018 ■ The applications of three independents who have registered to campaign for the upcoming referendum have been all rejected by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, Chairman of CENI says the candidatures of Silas Simbandumwe, Jean Daniel Gerero, and MP Fabien Banciryanino were refused because they contained (...)

04-13-2018 ■ The agents of Burundi Bureau of Standards and Quality Control (BBN) in collaboration with the police seized yesterday hundreds of boxes of juices in Buyenzi City Market commonly called “Kwa Sioni” and COTEBU markets. Sellers say they are victims of injustice. “These juices are not certified by BBN,” says (...)

04-13-2018 ■ Refugees from Musasa camp call on humanitarians to increase their assistance which they say is not sufficient. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees instead appeals to them to undertake income-generating activities to improve their living conditions. Masawa Kanyurhi Consolatta, the representative of Musasa camp refugees, says a refugee (...)