The challenge of Electoral campaigns vs Social distancing in Burundi
The Briefing Issue #81, Tuesday, April 28, 2020
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Dear Readers,
In today's newsletter, I would like to answer and share my opinion on one question we got from a subscriber who, a few weeks ago wanted to know if in Burundi Church leaders or other public events organizers have a right to cancel their programs and events to enhance the measures of social distancing amidst coronavirus pandemic.
The most direct answer to this question is:
NO one has the right to take further social distancing measures except the Government.
This appears in communiquée by the Government of Burundi published on March 25, 2020
“The Government of the Republic of Burundi seizes this opportunity to warn anyone Burundian or a foreigner who, for various sneaky reasons of disorientation and manipulation of opinion, go a step ahead of the Government of the Republic of Burundi by taking unilateral extreme hasty measures contrary to those already taken or not yet taken by the Government. We would mention as an example, the measures to close the Belgian School and the French School of Bujumbura, etc. For such behaviors or similar ones, the Government of the Republic of Burundi confirms it reserves the right to take action appropriate and relevant when the time is right.”
This paragraph in the communiqué state cleary the official position on taking the private initiative to prevent COVID-19.
Electoral campaign ‘s social distancing challenge
When this Monday politician kicked off their electoral campaigns in Burundi, pictures emerged with a multitude of political party members and confirmed the anticipated worries that social distancing will not be possible in this Electoral campaign.
This raises concerns over disastrous consequences that may result from campaign meetings across the country, especially when preliminary measures such as announced by the Ministry of Health are not sufficient in this context, I wrote more on this here.
Right now, it’s true that Malaria in Burundi is a far deadlier disease than COVID-19. Malaria has killed more than 1,800 people in Burundi last year— but on the other hand, Coronavirus is deadly and transmitted easily when social distancing is not respected
Elections are possible even in the direst of public health environments. At the height of the Ebola epidemic in Liberia example, the country worked with its partners, the National Elections Commission and medical experts to integrate a range of practical health measures, such as social distancing and revised processing, to ensure the safe exchange of ballot papers, ID cards, pens, and other common voting materials.
During poll worker training, they incorporated an unprecedented focus on the role of queue controllers and testing the temperatures of voters. Supports were directed towards aggressive voter education effort — built upon an extensive public health campaign — which proved critical to changing citizens’ behavior.
As thousands meet in electoral campaigns in Burundi, the safety measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus require refraining from doing what is inherently normal for electoral campaigns as we know it.
Electoral campaigns updates
The Independent Electoral commission organized this Tuesday in Bujumbura a meeting with representatives of the Defense and Security Forces involved in securing the elections. On today's agenda were discussions on securing the electoral campaign and the polls of May 20, 2020; Electoral education; training on the directory of polling centers and offices.
This Tuesday
Agathon RWASA (CNL Candidate) was campaigning in Vumbi, Kirundo province.
Sindimwo Gaston (Uprona Candidate) was campaigning in Kanyosha (Muha, Bujumbura-Mairie)
Evariste Ndayishimiye (Cndd-Fdd Candidate) was campaigning in Kibumbu, Mwaro Province
FrancisRohero, the independent presidential candidate of 2020, opened his electoral campaign in Bujumbura-Mairie (Tempête ground)
Dieudonné Nahimana was campaigning in Ngagara Bujumbura- Mairie
CDP (Patriots' Council) party chaired by Anicet Niyonkuru (formerly in CNARED, a radical opposition platform) announced this Tuesday their endorsement of Cndd-Fdd candidate, General Evariste Ndayishimiye.
The decision to endorse the candidacy of Evariste Ndayishimiye was taken by the Political Bureau of the CDP, after careful consideration and long analyzes. Contrary to the claims of certain detractors, the decision to support Evariste Ndayishimiye was taken in a concerted manner by the competent bodies. It is fully assumed by the governing bodies of the Party. Wrote Jean-Marie Ninziza, Vice-President of the CDP Party in his opinion piece published here
A month ago, CDP was among 4 Political parties that formed a coalition, the KIRA BURUNDI Coalition (CDP, RANAC, FDS-SANGIRA, and PAJUDE). Thy appointed ex-President Domitien NDAYIZEYE as their presidential candidate.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi,
Editor, RegionWeek.com
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IN THE REGION
The region has Low Levels of Testing for COVID-19 Pandemic
The level of testing of COVID-19 infections in COMESA Member State is generally low, according to recent data. This is linked to inadequate testing kits and limited health personnel.
The estimated total number of COVID-19 tests carried out in the region stands at 223,613. Out of these, Egypt has the highest at 90,000, Uganda (27,432), Tunisia (21,081), Kenya (17,992), Ethiopia (15,628), Mauritius (14,445) and Djibouti (12,250) (see table).
When the total number of tests conducted are normalized (pro-rata basis) against the population (per one million), these numbers become negligible for the majority of the countries in the region.
For instance, while Egypt has conducted around 90,000 tests, when the tests are normalized, the figures come down to a paltry 879. On the other hand, the tests conducted in Mauritius and Djibouti when normalized against the population, show that a significant proportion has been tested.
The whole report is available here
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