What to Expect in the news this Week?
Monday, February 17, 2020
Dear RegionWeek reader,
This weekend, the National Council for Freedom (CNL), an opposition party in Burundi, nominated its president Agathon Rwasa on Sunday in Bujumbura as a presidential candidate for the May 20, 2020 Elections.
The candidacy of Mr. Rwasa, chosen by the executive office of the party, was presented this Sunday to the thousand delegates during a closed session.
In his speech, Mr. Agathon Rwasa said: “ Peace should not only be a slogan, everyone should be respected with all their dignity, rights and freedom. Hate speeches, marginalization, and dehumanization must be prohibited. May the artisans of violence and extremism in all its forms return to reason because the country needs leaders capable of driving an integral and harmonious development. Only a reconciled and united people thrive”
In the weekend
International media on the weekend turned their spotlight over the recent work of Burundi Truth and reconciliation commission (CVR). The Guardian, Reuters, and Aljazeera, all wrote about the remains of over 6,000 victims, as well as thousands of bullets, that were found in six mass graves in Karusi province.
The UN health agency announced that Burundi is among the first four countries in Africa that have licensed an Ebola vaccine to “cement hard-fought progress” in keeping their people safe from the deadly disease. For the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Ghana and Zambia, the vaccine licensing means that the manufacturer can stockpile and widely distribute it to those nations at risk of Ebola virus outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization.
And once licensed doses are available, the use of the vaccine will not require clinical trials or other research protocols. Moreover, the vaccine, which was licensed just 90 days after WHO prequalified it, is expected to be registered in additional countries over the coming weeks. "The approval of the Ebola vaccine by these countries is another milestone in the fight against this unforgiving disease," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Bururi, Burundi, presented by Bishop Venant Bacinoni. The Pope has appointed as bishop of the same diocese the Reverend Salvator Niciteretse, of the clergy of Burundi, currently secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate.
Ugandan actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa who starred in the Queen of Katwe, a Disney film about a chess prodigy from a Ugandan slum, has passed on at the age of 15. Nikita Pearl Waligwa was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016
What we expect this week
This week it's probable to see new independents presidential candidates coming out
We expect to learn more about the ban that opposes the return from exile of Jérémie Ngendakumana, former president of Cndd-Fdd and five other former executives, now in the opposition. Social Media commented about this ban on the weekend, but we expect to learn more from official statements on this issue.
Following the closure of all forex bureaux, Bujumbura Commercial Bank (BCB), and Interbank announced the opening of their forex bureaux since this Monday, February 17. We expect to see Burundian media’s tell us more about this story, especially why these forex bureaux choose to sell only US dollars and Euros, and at which rates their gonna buy and sell.
We expect to learn more about the outcomes from the East African Community Coffee Business Forum in Mombasa, a forum in which a Burundi delegation met with high-level speakers from public and private sector exchanging, seeking new markets and seal international sales opportunities.
After the Lusaka 8th conference of the ministers of Lake Tanganyika authority, it would be interesting to know what measures have been taken to tackle the environmental challenges facing the lake Tanganyika.
The 4th edition of the “BujaSansTabou festival” is taking place from this Monday, February 17 to 23, plays will be staged to explore the history of the first 5 districts of Bujumbura: Bwiza, Buyenzi, Quartier Asie, Ngagara and Nyakabiga.
International Events
Geneva 17 - 21 February
Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, Twenty-fourth session
February 17
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Independence Day of Kosovo
20 February
World Day of Social Justice
February 21
International Mother Language Day
Global Information Governance Day
Have a fruitful week!
Fabrice Iranzi
Founding Editor, RegionWeek.com
What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at editor@regionweek.com
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.