Electoral campaign: The political party leaders are not exempt from prosecution
The Briefing Issue #84, Tuesday, May 5, 2020
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Dear Readers,
In a press release of this Tuesday, the Burundi Attorney General— Mr. Sylvestre Nyandwi said that there have been acts of political violence in some places in Burundi. He reminded cases of violence reported from provinces such as Kirundo, Ngozi, Kayanza, Gitega, and Bujumbura.
"We would like to remind all Burundian citizens in general and political party supporters in particular that the law is not on hold during the current electoral campaign and that anyone who breaks it must be subjected to its rigor," said Sylvestre Nyandwi.
Political Leaders warned
"We particularly remind the leaders of political parties campaigning that they are not exempt from prosecution during this period and that they must refrain from any act that could encourage their supporters to resort to violence. They are asked to call their activists to order while disassociating themselves from those who break the law. "
This same press release calls on public prosecutors in the provinces to remain vigilant in order to bring to justice all those who indulge in violence without any tolerance. In the event of acts of violence of a political nature, Mr. Nyandwi urges the public prosecutors to go to the scene and carry out the investigation as part of the flagrance procedure.
According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, the Cndd-Fdd party recorded two deaths and eighteen wounded. For CNL Party, one member is missing and eight were wounded.
Cndd-Fdd victims : Death: 2 | Injured: 18 | Kidnapped: 1
Cnl Party Victims: Injured: 8
Perpetrators: 64 Arrested
The Burundi National Police condemns the speeches of Cnl presidential candidate Agathon Rwasa who on some occasions encouraged his supporters to commit acts of violence against members of the ruling party.
The Burundi National Police reports cases of electoral frauds in Gitega, Makamba and Bujumbura Provinces where CNL Party members were arrested trying to acquire voting cards of people who were declared dead or who were abroad.
OTHER HEADLINES
The High Court of Gitega, in a flagrancy trial this Tuesday, sentenced 5 men accused of insurrection and forming a rebellion against the elections to 2 months in prison and a fine of 200 000 BIF.
Covid-19: Burundian researcher invents an Automatic Solar Powered Hand Washing Machine
Fabrice Iranzi,
Editor, RegionWeek.com
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IN THE REGION
COVID-19 cases in Kenya rose to 535 on Tuesday, after 45 new infections were confirmed, the highest on a single day. “We have the highest number today and that shows how serious this pandemic is in our country,” said Mutahi Kagwe, Health Cabinet Secretary, “We have 45 confirmed cases from tests conducted in the last 24 hours.” Tuesday’s was the highest number recorded on a single day since March 12 when the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Kenya. (Capital FM)
Tanzania has suspended the head of its national health laboratory in charge of coronavirus testing, a day after President John Magufuli questioned the accuracy of the tests. Magufuli, who has consistently downplayed the effect of the virus, said on Sunday he had secretly had animals, fruits, and vehicle oil tested at the laboratory. Papaya, a quail, and a goat had been found to be positive, according to the president. (Aljazeera)
Rwanda says it is working with Tanzanian authorities to quell cross border protests by drivers who are opposing new measures introduced by Rwanda to curb the spread of New Coronavirus by blocking trucks driven by Rwandan drivers to move. Videos of Rwandan truck drivers being attacked by groups of people inside Tanzania said to be truck drivers, who are opposed to recent measures introduced by the Government of Rwanda aimed at stopping cross border transmission of COVID-19 by the truck drivers and their assistants, have been making rounds on social media platforms. (KT Press)
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