Regional communities react on the May 20th Burundi Elections
Briefing Issue #94, Tuesday, May 26, 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:
Dear Readers,
The General Secretariat of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) said it is following with sustained attention the electoral process underway in the Republic of Burundi.
In a statement the General Secretariat of ECCAS recalls that it deployed in March 2020, a fact-finding and assessment mission on the pre-electoral situation in this Bujumbura.
The General Secretariat welcomes the peaceful conduct of these elections, in accordance with the electoral calendar previously agreed and published, reads the statement
ECCAS invites all Burundian political actors to exercise the utmost restraint, to refrain from any act of violence or hatred, and to favor dialogue and legal channels in all claims related to the results of these elections.
The East African Community
In a congratulatory statement, the East African Community said that the 87.8 percent turnout for the process bears testimony to the desire of the people of Burundi to participate in determining their political future, which is critical to sustainable peace, security, and stability.
The 2020 Burundi Elections hold an iconic place in the history of the nation, marking this the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power. More significantly, the process was domestically driven through own funding.
The statement goes on to say that in the spirit of the Constitution promulgated in 2018, the Community urges all parties to practice patience and sustain the peace currently prevalent in the country as the final phase of the electoral process is underway.
This will provide space for constitutionally mandated consideration and conclusion of contestations and the ultimate announcement of the results by the Constitutional Court.
Burundians of all political persuasions are thus urged to guard the prevailing peace and sustain the tolerance that has so far characterized this electoral process.
Meanwhile in Burundi
This Tuesday in a press conference, the KIRABURUNDI coalition that was represented by former President Domitien Ndayizeye in “May 20 Election” said that it accepts the results of the triple ballot.
But KIRABURUNDI mentioned that it does so not because the elections were well organized by the CENI, but for the purpose of maintaining peace & security in the interest of the country.
The coalition warmly thanks all the activists and all the Burundians who voted for it and urges to always support his straight line which is that drawn by the Arusha agreement.
The independent candidate Namana Dieudonne appreciates the provisional results published by CENI this Monday. However, he said that there are irregularities that have been observed and he intends to refer them to the electoral commission.
The independent candidate FrancisRohero deplores those murdered, injured, and others imprisoned during the election campaign. He congratulates Burundians for having safeguarded peace and tranquility after the announcement of the provisional results of the elections.
Thanks for Reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
If you wish to support this Newsletter, you can join our Premium community of supporters by clicking here to make your contribution
IN THE REGION
Reducing the Covid19 pandemic’s adversity
According to a report by COMESA Research Experts, Benedict Musengele, and Jane Kibiru, trade is emerging as a remedy that could reduce the pandemic’s adversity through the flow of essential goods like food, medical supplies, and other hygiene products.
“The relaxation of the free movement of essential goods in the region will enhance their production and boost intra-COMESA trade during this pandemic period,” the report states and cites the implementation of the Digital Trade Facilitation and other instruments as core in mitigating vulnerability to shocks such as Covid-19 pandemic.
It identifies pharmaceutical products as among the top intra-COMESA traded products, which could immensely grow as the import origin markets namely EU, India, USA, China, and the UK are among the hard-hit by Covid-19. The five contribute 45%, 19% 6% 4%, and 3% of the source market for pharmaceutical products to COMESA.
COMESA is a net importer of pharmaceutical products with exports amounting to US$ 442.53 million in 2018 and imports worth US$ 6,451.03 million respectively. The intra-COMESA exports of pharmaceutical products constituted 32 % of the exports.
“This shows that pharmaceuticals are a major intra-COMESA export hence the need to facilitate its cross- border trade during this pandemic period,” the COMESA researchers note in the report.
To unlock this potential, a number of measures will need to be put in place by the Member States. These include, taking a regional coordinated approach in mitigating the impact of Covid-19 and allowing free movement of both, essential and non-essential goods within and out of COMESA.
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.