It’s February! What kind of news to expect this week?
Week beginning Monday, February 3, 2020
Dear RegionWeek Reader,
Last week was a very busy week for some Burundian Political parties. This morning, I penned some lines, to share with you— what you may have missed during the weekend. I will also let you know what I expect to learn this week in Burundi and regional Media.
If you missed our last Friday Briefing here’ is the link:
Month of January : Briefing on the issues that matter for Burundians as East Africans. Adding depth and context to Burundi and East Africa stories you heard in January 2020
I’d love your comments. And feel free to forward this to a friend.
Last Weekend
The Burundi women's U-20 national team made a costly error this weekend traveling to a wrong city ahead of the Under 20 Women World Cup match against Ethiopia. They accidentally traveled to Diredawa instead of Bahirdar. Google maps estimate the distance between the 2 cities at 940km.
The team wasn't able to have a feel of the match-day venue as the squad failed to arrive on time. The Ethiopia Football Federation in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines ensured that Burundi U20 women’s team arrived in Bahir Dar in the night albeit less than 24 hours to their FIFA World Cup Qualifier. Ethiopia won 5 against 0 for Burundi.
Jacques Bigirimana has been chosen as a candidate to represent the FNL (Front National pour la Libération) party in the presidential elections of May 2020.
The first Vice-President of Burundi, Gaston Sindimwo, has joined the race for president in the upcoming May 2020 general elections. He will represent UPRONA, the Union for National Progress, a Burundi nationalist political party celebrated for its role in gaining Burundian independence.
CDP (Conseil Des Patriotes) a political party that introduces itself as the party of the future; the party of the new political generation of Burundi endorsed this weekend Anicet Niyonkuru, Executive Secretary of CNARED-GIRITEKA as the candidate for the presidential election.
What to Expect this Week
Unity Day:
Unity Day is an annual holiday observed every February 5th in Burundi to commemorate the new “national unity” constitution that was enacted in 1992. We expect to see more stories about this event. Probably Editorialists will analyze where Burundians are now with the “National Unity” concept. Introduced after a referendum it passed with 88 percent of the vote that declared a desire to end ethnic hatred.
Reform of the Coffee Sector in Burundi
This week we will hopefully learn more, about the plan and the execution of the Nationalization of Coffee Industry to Boost Farmers' Income. Burundi government is taking over the coffee industry, blaming a drop in production on the alleged exploitation of farmers by the private sector in the past two decades.
New presidential candidates
This week, new candidacies to the presidential election will be announced. It’s probable that CNL ( Congrès National pour la Liberté) will announce Agathon Rwasa (Burundi main opposition leader) as a candidate this week, if not next week.
We may be presented another candidacy from civil society, most probably Faustin Ndikumana, a Burundian economist and anti-corruption activist from Ngozi Province, and head of the Thinktank called PARCEM (Parole et Actions pour le Réveil des Consciences et l’Evolution des Mentalités ) created in 2009 to challenge mindsets, beliefs, and behaviors that contradict the creation of a peaceful society and sustainable development in Burundi.
Kidum is coming in Burundi
Burundian musician Jean Pierre Nimbona, popularly known as Kidum, months after Rwanda's decision to ban him from playing at the upcoming Kigali Jazz Fusion festival, said he is coming in Bujumbura, this is what he posted on his Facebook page (edited for clarity):
“I'm coming to Burundi very soon. I'm giving you the exact day this week. Long live Burundi, our dear homeland. We only have you (our Burundi) in the world. Wherever we are, we are called names such as (foreigners or refugees) but when we are home with our dear relatives we feel special. So I come to see you Dear relatives so that you can inspire me again. I come to tell this torrential rain to leave you alone. I come to ask your forgiveness because one day I got angry and I said that I will never see you again. But here I come. I was wrong!”
In September 2019 Kidum announced that he will no longer perform in Rwanda or Burundi, following a Police official call to his manager to warn that he would only be allowed to make private visits to Rwanda.
International Events this week
February 4:
World Cancer Day:
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.
February 6:
World Day without Mobile phone
Since 2001, the 6th of February was declared World Day without mobile phones by the French author Phil Marso. The purpose of the action is to fight against “Nomophobia.”, a disease that is on the rise all over the world.
World Day for a Safer Internet
Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people and inspire a national conversation.
International Day against Genital Mutilation
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN's efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.
February 8:
World Day of Prayer and Reflection on Trafficking in Human Beings
The Catholic Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General has designated February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.
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Have a fruitful week, be free, explore ways of freedom!
Fabrice Iranzi,
Founding Editor, RegionWeek.com
We understand that it is exceptionally difficult for business leaders and highly productive Professionals to stay current on all important news. We filter the news, to bring to you concise information about game-changing events and insights.
We compiled all the key briefings of January in One document (PDF), updated with all the developments that occurred after we published the daily briefing, we sell it at $5, if you want to receive of RegionWeek January Briefings a copy click here, we will send it to you.
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