Electoral campaign: Burundi National Police records cases of violence
The Briefing Issue #83, Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Dear RegionWeek Reader,
In a press release published Wednesday, April 29, Burundi National Police spokesperson Pierre Nkurikiye reported that seven CNDD-FDD activists were subjected to violence on the opening day of the electoral campaign during confrontations between militants of the ruling party and those of the CNL in Ngozi.
He confirmed that five members of the CNL party were injured on the hills of Nyankuba and Kinama in Mubimbi commune of Bujumbura province on Tuesday, April 28.
According to the same police source, CNL and CNDD-FDD militants fought Tuesday, May 28, 2020, on the Mbasi and Rwitoyi hills of Tangara commune in Ngozi province. He informed that four wounded had been recorded, including 3 members of the CNL party and one of the CNDD-FDD party.
Five people were arrested by the police, including two members of the CNL and three of the CNDD-FDD.
He added: "Five people were arrested in Mukenke in the province of Kirundo by the police for having disturbed security during a rally organized by the CNL party".
Nkurikiye mentioned also that 7 activists from the Cndd-Fdd party were kidnapped by those of the CNL during the opening of the electoral campaign on Monday, April 27, 2020, in Ngozi. After police intervention for one of the seven victims was found in critical condition.
The spokesperson for the ministry in charge of public security deplores cases of crimes and misconduct by certain political party activists. He indicates that two people were beaten to death on Tuesday, April 28 on the hills of Kigangabuko and Kinyinya in the commune of Kinyinya in Ruyigi province.
The northern regional police commissioner, Opc 1 Gahitira Felix in a note leaked to social media deplores the fact that some young people from political parties at meetings are wearing boots, police raincoats, and other military effects. He instructed his subordinates to recover every military material that will be in possession of those militants.
“The North Regional Police Station Bitterly observes that some young party members meeting politicians in our sector wear boots police raincoats and other effects like belts and hats. They parade in front of the authorities and police who let them proceed. From today, you are asked to instruct subordinates to recover without distinction all these police and military material and report back. Any gesture of complicity or complacency will result in, sanctions” reads the note.
This week Electoral process security was largely discussed in a meeting organized this Tuesday, April 28 by the CENI with security force officials from all regions and provinces of Burundi.
The army and the police agents will be deployed to protect the voters and the agents of the polling stations of the Ceni.
"Voters must go to the polls without fear, and calmly," emphasized Pierre-Claver Kazihise, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to him, the population cannot fulfill this civic duty without being reassured.
The army and the police will ensure that over 14,665 polling centers are safe for voters, with larger in infrastructures in Gitega that occupy the first rank with 1,275 voting centers.
This Monday, April 27, the Minister of Public Security, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni presented the assessment of the major achievements of the 3rd quarter 2019-2020.
During this quarter, 216 searches were carried out. 53 firearms, 108 grenades, 6 60 mortar bombs, and over 1,972 munitions were seized.
Compared to the previous quarter, Minister Bunyoni emphasized that a marked improvement in the security situation is noticeable for the 3rd quarter. The minister in charge of security indicated that the gangs of criminals were dismantled at 84.5% rate.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi,
Editor, RegionWeek.com
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IN THE REGION
The East African Community has unveiled a comprehensive COVID-19 Response Plan to reinforce measures to protect and prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic within the region.
The response plan was developed following a directive by the Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Health, Trade, and EAC Affairs held via Video Conference, which directed the EAC Secretariat to finalize and submit the EAC Regional COVID-19 Response Plan to the Partner States.
Among the key interventions proposed in the plan that was unveiled by the EAC Deputy Secretary-General in charge of the Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, on behalf on behalf of the Secretary-General, is risk communication and community engagement, which will entail strengthening sensitization programs and awareness creation on COVID-19.
DOWNLOAD: EAC COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN
The response plan further seeks to ensure access to Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) materials, laboratory supplies and equipment by the EAC Organs and Institutions, and the EAC Partner States.
Another key intervention is to strengthen the region’s capacity for COVID-19 surveillance and reporting at all key border points, and build knowledge on safety measures, existing prevention and control strategies, and relevant regional guidelines.
Mitigation of the fundamental impacts of the pandemic on the vital economic and social sectors of the region including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises is another key intervention outlined in the document.
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