Burundi and East Africa Weekend Roundup
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol III, Issue #124 | Monday, September 14 , 2020
This is a new version of the RegionWeek Newsletter for the 3rd season( July-December 2020). The content targets Business leaders, Decision-makers, and Young professionals with interests in Burundi and East Africa. Subscribe to stay productive, and competitive in a pandemic and disrupted season.
Dear Readers,
The mini-summit of heads of state in the region that was scheduled for this Sunday, September 13 in Goma (Eastern DRC), didn’t take place. Some leaders said they were busy preparing their participation in the UN General Assembly to be held from this Tuesday, September 15 in New York.
Rebels attack
Unidentified attackers shot and killed six people in northern Burundi, an official said on Friday, weeks after a similar attack was reported in a southern province.
According to Reuters, the group launched the attack in Kayanza province on Thursday night from the Kibira forest. They arrived at a small center... killed six people including two kids studying in primary school II and V,” a piece of information that was confirmed by Remy Cishahayo, an army colonel and governor of Kayanza province.
Covid-19
Confirmed cases in Burundi have risen from 469 to 471. An increase of 2 cases. There have been no additional confirmed fatalities in Burundi since the last update. There have been no additional confirmed recoveries in Burundi since the last update.
East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project
This Sunday, Tanzania’sPresidents Pombe Magufuli and Uganda’sYoweri Museveni signed an agreement for the construction of a 1,445Km crude oil pipeline from Uganda's oil fields to the port of Tanga. Hassan Abassi, the Tanzania government spokesman, said on Twitter that 80% of the pipeline will run through Tanzania
Uganda discovered oil reserves in 2006 and needs the planned 1,445-km (900-mile) East African Crude Oil Pipeline to be in place to start commercial production. The pipeline is estimated to cost $3.5 billion, according to the two governments.
Burundi on the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council
Nations accused of violating their citizens’ rights and freedoms will come under intense scrutiny by the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council during its upcoming three-week session, which begins this Monday.
According to Voice of America, reports detailing summary executions, torture, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, sexual assault, and other violations will come under review. In addition, some investigative mandates may come to an end. For example, the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Burundi, established four years ago, will present its final report later this month.
Human Rights Watch’s Geneva director, John Fisher says it is important the commission’s mandate be maintained.
Thanks for Reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
Support RegionWeek Newsletter!
Contribute at least $5/Month, and join our amazing community of supporters!
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.