8 new Covid-19 cases, 4 recoveries in Burundi
The Briefing Issue #87, Tuesday, May 12, 2020
This is the online version of RegionWeek for decision-makers and young professionals, a newsletter about depth and context to Burundi and East Africa stories— written by me, Fabrice Iranzi. You can sign up for your own subscription to get concise information about game-changing events and insights straight to your inbox:
BURUNDI IN THE HEADLINES
Dear Readers,
In a press release dated May 12, 2020, the Burundi Ministry of Health announces eight new COVID-19 positive cases. Of the eleven former patients, four tested negative and released from the hospital.
11 out of 12 people who were quarantined in different places of the Province of Kayanza were tested and allowed to return to their families, said Dr. Célestin Congera, Provincial Health Director in Kayanza this Tuesday.
EAC Heads of State Consultative Meeting on the EAC regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic was held through video conference. Continued free movement of goods and the management of the cross-border spread of Covid-19 were top agenda in today’s meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State and Government. Burundi and Tanzania were not present.
Early morning, this Tuesday unchecked reports and rumors on social media stated that Coronavirus cases inside AMISOM troops in Somalia surpass 37. With Uganda counting 30 of those confirmed COVID19 cases are Ugandan troops while 7 are from Burundi forces.
But Medical sources inside Amisom told RegionWeek that only 8 cases have been registered in AMISOM and among those who tested positive there were no Burundians.
Election
In a press conference, this Tuesday Burundi Police Spokesperson said that cases of violence decreased during the second week and that 90 alleged perpetrators of various crimes were arrested for investigations.
“For this second week of the electoral campaign, injuries perpetrated by CNL activists left 30 injured among members of the Cndd-fdd and 05 injured among those of the CNL. Police have already apprehended 95 alleged perpetrators who are under investigation, "
This Monday, the young people of the Cndd-Fdd (Imbonerakure) attacked Cnl members in a rally damaging their vehicle in Gahemba (Ruyigi province). A Cnl party activist was severely beaten by three young people from the ruling party, one among perpetrators was arrested.
Pierre Nkurikiye (Burundi Police Spokesperson) also specified that any act of violence will be punished. “The chaos of 2015 will not be reproduced! The means and the material to suffocate him are available. " He asked police agents to double their firmness in the face of the "violent" behavior of activists and leaders.
ONELOP, a local NGO (Observatoire national des élections et des organizations pour le progrès) in its mid-term evaluation of the 2020 electoral campaign, asks the political parties to supervise their activists so that they adopt behaviors of tolerance. Said Sulpice Nkurikiye presenting ONELOP’s report last weekend.
The Burundi Catholic Bishops' Conference says it is concerned about cases of intolerance during this election campaign. In a statement published this Monday, the president of this conference says that the content of some slogans and songs used by politicians leads to hatred and violence.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
IN THE REGION
Kenya’s Ministry of Health on Tuesday said that two Tanzanians were denied entry into Kenya at the Isibania border point after they tested positive for coronavirus. Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman said that the individuals were tested on the Tanzanian side of the border before any further action was taken.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said late Monday that the country’s general elections will not be held as scheduled given the novel coronavirus outbreak. In an interview with NBS TV, Museveni, who has ruled the country for 34 years, said the possibility of holding elections under the current delicate atmosphere is suicidal. “It will be madness to say you go and people gather. I don’t think it will be wise,” he said. According to a roadmap issued by the Uganda Electoral Commission, the 2021 presidential, parliamentary and local council elections will be conducted in March next year. (AA)
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