A decisive Week for Burundi and its new leaders!
Briefing Issue #90, Monday, May 18, 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:
Good Evening Friends,
I would like on behalf of RegionWeek team, to thank everyone who joined our supporter’s community. Your support keeps us moving forward, may you be blessed!
I take this opportunity to thank you for the feedback and comment you send to my team and I, your inputs are valuable.
If you wish to join the community of our supporters you can do so by contributing at least $5 a month via Paypal, using this link.
It is my pleasure today to welcome you in a very historic week for Burundi and the whole East African Community. This Wednesday, May 20th, Burundians will elect their new president. It is a new chapter for Burundi, but election-related challenges are still real, but it won’t stop the process.
Last weekend the ruling party closed its campaign in Bujumbura, Evariste Ndayishimiye the Cndd-Fdd candidate reassured his followers that he will fulfill his campaign promises.
“I will be your humble servant. " he said
President Nkurunziza emphasized that the May 20th elections will be different. He thanked every Burundian who voted for him 2005, 2010, and 2015.
"You made me what I am today, you entrusted the Burundians to me in the elections of 2005, 2010 and those of 2015". he said
Former president Sylvestre Ntibantunganya(from Frodebu party) endorsed the Cndd-Fdd candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye, a move that surprised FRODEBU party members who were expecting support to Frodebu candidate Leonce Ngendakumana.
A campaign evaluation meeting was held this Monday by Political parties leaders under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior affairs. Minister Pascal Barandagiye positively appreciates how the electoral campaign was conducted.
"You have well supervised the members of your political parties, the bad behavior observed is less compared to what we experienced in the previous electoral campaigns," said the minister addressing the leaders of the political parties.
The Independent electoral commission (CENI) held an informational meeting with local and international organizations accredited to observe the election. It was an opportunity to share with them key directives. Among measures taken, observers were told that they won’t be allowed to use their phones to take pictures at polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Africa Union Commission and the UN secretariat encourage all entities involved in organizing the 20 May 2020 elections, the defense and security forces and state-owned media to fully contribute to preserving a stable and peaceful environment, pre-requisite for free, inclusive, fair, transparent and credible elections in Burundi.
They urge all political actors to refrain from all acts of violence and hate speech, and resort to dialogue, to enable the holding of consensual and peaceful elections. They also encourage the Burundian authorities to ensure and facilitate the full participation of women during this electoral process.
In order to preserve peace, security, and stability in Burundi, the two Organisations call on all political parties to strictly abide by the Code of Conduct they signed on 23 December 2019.
The African Union Commission and the Secretariat of the United Nations call upon the Burundian authorities to safeguard the health of its citizens by putting in place preventive measures against the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burundi recorded 15 new cases of CoronaVirus. The ministry of health announced this in a statement released on Sunday, May 17. The Ministry of Public Health said that 9 healed patients were released from the hospital.
Coronavirus Cases: 42 | Active cases : 21 | Deaths:1 |Recovered: 20
Have a fruitful week, thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
IN THE REGION
COMESA
COMESA Secretariat has embarked on the assessment of the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data collection. This follows a disruption of the surveys on CPI, which require interactive and wide coverage methods to collect data.
The slowdown has been occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent measures put in place by Member States to prevent further spread of the disease. These have collectively impacted negatively on the collection of statistical information.
The Statistics Unit at COMESA Secretariat states that the partial, full lock-down, social distancing and in some cases, curfews invoked by Member States have not helped the situation.
“The CPI has been affected because data collection has become increasingly difficult as most outlets and other data collection points are either closed or access is limited or is being controlled,” Mr. Themba Munalula, Head of the Statistics Unit states told eComesa.
This data is used for the compilation of the regional Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HCPI). For the month of March, almost all countries that regularly submit data for the COMESA HCPI compilation were able to undertake the CPI surveys.
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
East African Court of Justice set for virtual hearings starting this week with the Appellate Division. This follows a decision by the extra Ordinary Plenary for Judges held virtually last month in April which resolved Court to roll out online hearings, delivery of Rulings and Judgments this month after a successful test run.
The Appellate Division’s Cause List, a total of 12 matters have been scheduled for hearing and these include 5 Scheduling Conferences, 2 Hearings of the Reference & Application, 1 Hearing of Arbitration, 3 Rulings & 1 Judgment to be delivered.
All the matters will be brought before a bench of their Lordships of the Appellate Division, Honourable Justices: Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (President), Liboire Nkurunzinza (Vice President), Aaron Ringera, Geoffrey Kiryabwire & Sauda Mjasiri.
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community. The Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
RegionWeek is a Burundi-based media for a new generation of achievers in Africa, a platform devoted to chronicling the journey to Freedom and Empowerment.