Burundi: Upcoming Polls to Test Country's Fragile Peace [analysis] Nov 20, 2009
com: Burundi: Upcoming Polls to Test Country's Fragile Peace (Page 1 of 1) ... Bujumbura Next year's elections in Burundi, billed as a milestone on the country's long road to sustainable peace, could trigger more conflict because of a combination of widespread illegal weapons and well-organized youth wings of political parties, according to analysts ... Power struggles in Burundi have provoked bouts of armed violence and civil war from independence in 1962 until the country's last rebel group... (allAfrica.com)
Burundi--Consultative Group Meeting Nov 17, 2009
Burundi Consultative Group Meeting. Paris, October 26 27, 2009 Remarks by IMF Staff Representative, Bernardin Akitoby, Mission Chief for Burundi, African Department ... In doing so I will present the objectives of the program, discuss Burundi s macroeconomic performance and outlook, and summarize the main structural reforms made and in progress. (IMF News)
Nigeria: Hints of a new chapter Nov 13, 2009
Nigeria contributed most of the troops to the AU s first peacekeeping force, in the Darfur region of Sudan, and has sent troops to Burundi and Sierra Leone. Last month it took up a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council; in a reformed council, Nigerians think their country would be an obvious candidate for a permanent seat. (The Economist)
East Africa: Poor Infrastructure, Port Delays, Inhibiting Use of Central Corridor Nov 11, 2009
As a result, many business people from landlocked Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Congo who formerly imported goods through the Dar port decided to use Mombasa Port ... He, however, said developing the infrastructure and working on delays at the Dar-based port would decongest the Mombasa port, which is currently overwhelmed by goods to Uganda, Southern Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi ... The State Minister for Trade, Mr Gagawala Wambuzi, said the Tanzanian government and other southern Africa countries... (allAfrica.com)
Central Africa: Build Cohesion in Divided Societies, Urges U.S. Envoy [interview] Nov 9, 2009
We used Burundi as our initial experiment ... So this program is still ongoing in Burundi six years later now, and at the request of the Burundians, 100 members of the high command of the army were trained, 100 members of the high command of the police, the council of ministers of the new government ... If you go to Burundi today, though they still have many issues in front of them, you will no longer hear the dialogue framed in terms of Tutsi versus Hutu. (allAfrica.com)
East Africa: Integrate Refugees Into the Host State, Leaders Told Oct 26, 2009
Even though there is no armed conflict in East Africa at the moment, there are about 880,000 refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. This is because of civil war in Burundi prior to the peace talks, strife in Somalia and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the post election violence in Kenya ... Recently, Tanzania gave citizenship to 3,568 of 160,000 Burundi refugees who have lived in the country for... (allAfrica.com)
Fear of return Oct 20, 2009
The killings have also spread to neighbouring Burundi where at least 12 people have been murdered ... One man was sentenced to death and eight others were jailed in Burundi earlier this year. (BBC News -- Africa)
Trapped In The Past Oct 11, 2009
Admittedly, this country suffered her unfortunate past but compared to the horrible civil wars that were fought in other countries on the continent; the slaughtering of people in the Congo, the annihilation of men, women and children in Burundi and Rwanda, the liquidation of previous human lives in apartheid South Africa, then we have cause to reflect. Indeed, this is not to say what happened in the past is right because taking of innocent life for whatever reason is wrong. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Burundi: Country Gets Funding for Elections Sep 25, 2009
com: Burundi: UN Agency Unveils Plans to Support Staging of Elections (Page 1 of 1) ... The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced it will manage a $44 million fund to promote the peaceful staging of presidential, parliamentary and local elections next year in Burundi, which was been wracked by ethnically-based strife for decades ... If the polls are successfully staged next year, it will mark the first time that an electoral cycle has run its full course in Burundi, where a... (allAfrica.com)
Turning up the Heat on Gadget Makers to Bring Peace to Congo Sep 19, 2009
But at the end of the day, there is a great deal of money being made by military officers, the militias, and the neighboring governments - Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi - in the illicit mineral trade in eastern Congo ... These two - and to much less extent Burundi - benefited enormously. (allAfrica.com)
SCENARIOS-What could suicide bombings mean for Somalia? Sep 19, 2009
The force was supposed to be 8,000-strong, but still only has about 5,000 troops from Uganda and Burundi ... Burundi and Uganda have said they will not be chased off the job by the insurgents. (AlertNet)
Cte d'Ivoire: It's a Tricky Affair As Poll Looms [analysis] Sep 6, 2009
Just as happened in Burundi, where former rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza was declared winner of elections in 2005 against incumbent president Domitien Ndayizeye, in Cote d'Ivoire, President Gbagbo may have to give way to Mr Soro with whom he has shared power since April 2007. It is a tricky affair. (allAfrica.com)
Somalia: Analysis - Who is Fighting Whom Sep 3, 2009
AMISOM, staffed mainly by troops from Uganda and Burundi, has been in the country since 2007. In the past the force was confined to protecting the president and prime minister and vital infrastructure, such as the airport and port. (allAfrica.com)
East Africa customs union boosted Jul 7, 2009
Rwanda and Burundi have joined the East African Community Customs Union, which should lead to lower prices, as goods from fellow members are now duty free ... While in Burundi citizens are faced with a new another challenge - understanding what being part of the union means for their country ... The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi says officials have spent two months throughout the country educating people about the union, how trade will work and explaining the new jargon such as VAT and... (BBC News -- Africa)
Liberia: TRC's Economic Criminals Jul 7, 2009
Look at Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, and even south Africa. As a master student studying politics and international studies with emphasis and peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden, the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commissions public release on July 2nd of its final report is an important, necessary step in Liberias efforts to confront the legacies of its 17-years civil conflict and highlights the need for additional measures to deal with Liberias difficult. (allAfrica.com)
Africa: No Rest for Weary Peacekeepers Jul 1, 2009
Johannesburg Peace in Burundi might mean South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peacekeepers can finally go home, but other African conflicts suggest that rest and recovery for the heavily overstretched and underfunded troops might be short-lived ... SANDF's mandate in Burundi expired on 30 June and its 1,100 soldiers would be withdrawn, except for a small unit that would stay on to help the Burundians establish their own protection unit of some 300 troops, Boshoff said ... South Africa... (allAfrica.com)
Full Story » Jun 21, 2009
She said she was encouraged by improving situations in Liberia, South Sudan, Burundi and Bhutan but said countries must pitch in to do more. "The crowded camps where refugees live are designed to be temporary, but many of the world's displaced people become permanent residents," she said. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
After 16 years of war, Burundi rebels start new lives Jun 19, 2009
New role: Former rebels assembled at a camp near Burundis capital, Bujumbura, last month ... Rubira Assembly Camp, Burundi - After eight years as a foot soldier in one of Africa's bloodiest ethnic conflicts, former rebel Christophe Manana is being sent home with $40, two pairs of pants, and a cheap transistor radio ... "How am I meant to start a new life with this?" asked Mr. Manana after being handed a new Burundian identity card and herded toward a truck bound for his old home. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Obituary: Omar Bongo Jun 16, 2009
He played a pivotal role in attempts to solve crises in the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Observers say he had a style of exchanging favours for votes that was characteristic of Africa's "big man" tradition. (BBC News -- Africa)
Gabon ready for funeral of Bongo Jun 16, 2009
The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo are among those expected to attend Tuesday's ceremony. Foreign dignitaries will pass in front of Mr Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday. (BBC News -- Africa)
In Somalia, African Union takes the offensive in information war May 28, 2009
After many promises, AMISOM has just over half of its mandated 8,000 troops, with three Ugandan battalions and two Burundian battalions ... Nigeria has long delayed on promises of sending a battalion, and Burundi has hesitated before sending a third. (Christian Science Monitor)
UN won't rule out peacekeepers for Somalia May 17, 2009
Burundi's AU ambassador, Epiphanie Kabushemeye-Ntamwana, said her country is hoping for an U.N. peacekeeping force. Burundi already has two battalions in Somalia as part of an AU force that guards key government officials and buildings. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
US alarmed at Eritrea 'arms link' May 16, 2009
AU force in Somalia (Amisom) was mandated in January 2007 Supposed to be 8,000-strong but currently has only 4,300 troops Comprised of soldiers from Uganda and Burundi Sierra Leone has offered battalion, which would take force over 5,000 Restricted by security situation to operations in Mogadishu. Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has appealed to Islamist insurgents to negotiate as intermittent fighting continued for an eighth day in the capital, Mogadishu. (BBC News -- Africa)
Going bananas May 13, 2009
In some of the continent's biggest banana-producing countries like Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi, more than 80% of current energy needs are met from burning wood. This has a very damaging impact on the environment leading to deforestation which contributes to climate change. (BBC News -- Science)
East Africa: Leaders Sign Protocol for Common Market Apr 30, 2009
Arusha The five presidents of the East African Community, comprising Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, yesterday agreed to have the protocol on the common market signed before the end of this year ... It also approved amending the protocol allowing for Rwanda and Burundi to nominate three members each on the committee on trade remedies ... On the establishment of a political federation, the summit assessed the findings of the national consultative process in Rwanda and Burundi. (allAfrica.com)
Zuma vows to unite South Africa Apr 28, 2009
But Mr Zuma is also a skilled conciliator, credited with ending the political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and helping to bring peace to Burundi. Opposition boost. (BBC News -- Africa)
Leader of Burundi rebels disarms Apr 19, 2009
The head of the last major rebel group in Burundi has handed over his weapons at a ceremony marking the end of an armed struggle against the government ... Ethnic conflict in Burundi has led to the deaths of about 300,000 people in the past decade ... Mr Rwasa described the day as a landmark in the history of his movement and for Burundi. (BBC News -- Africa)
Mixed views on expat vote Apr 16, 2009
The smallest voting stations were Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad o (Port of Spain) each having only one registered voter. To ensure both the secrecy and legitimacy of overseas votes, the IEC had set up a two-envelope system. (iAfrica.com)
South Africa: Thousands of Expats Cast First Votes Apr 15, 2009
Other voting stations with the lowest number of registered voters are Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain) with only one voter each. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her South African delegation are expected to cast their vote in Geneva, Switzerland later today. (allAfrica.com)
Expats gear up to vote Apr 14, 2009
The voting stations with the lowest number of voters are Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad o (Port of Spain) with only one voter each. To ensure both the secrecy and legitimacy of overseas votes, the IEC has set up a two envelope system. (iAfrica.com)
Burundi: 'Forgotten And Unseen' On the Edges of the City Apr 11, 2009
com: Burundi: 'Forgotten And Unseen' On the Edges of the City (Page 1 of 1). Burundi: 'Forgotten And Unseen' On the Edges of the City ... That they have survived for as long as 15 years in difficult conditions without help from the government or any aid agency attests to the fact that thousands of people can fall through the cracks in a country like Burundi, emerging from decades of civil war. (allAfrica.com)
Sarkozy in Congo: Your views Mar 27, 2009
Rwanda, Burundi, Congo. John, Kigali, Rwanda. (BBC News -- Africa)
Somalia: Disagreement in Country Over U.N. Peacekeeper Plan Mar 23, 2009
About 4,000 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi have been serving in Mogadishu since March 2007, where they help protect major infrastructure like the capital's international airport and the main seaport. But Islamist hardliners, namely Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam [Party of Islam], have refused to recognize the authority of President Sheikh Sharif, after accusing him of being a "puppet" of the West. (allAfrica.com)
Somalia: Rwanda President Pledges to Assist New Leader Mar 18, 2009
Since his election in January, the Somali leader has visited a number of countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda, to shore up regional support for his nascent government. comments. (allAfrica.com)
Somalia: President Meets With Rwandan President Mar 17, 2009
The president and his delegation visited countries including Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda. He is expected to return back to Kenya. (allAfrica.com)
Somalia insurgents accuse Kenya over border security Mar 9, 2009
He will also visit Uganda and Burundi, which contribute troops to a 3,500 strong African Union peace force in Mogadishu. Analysts say al Shabaab is the biggest threat to the new government, the 15th attempt to bring peace to the Horn of Africa country which has been without a government since 1991. (AlertNet)
Cargo plane crashes into Lake Victoria Mar 9, 2009
An Antonov cargo plane en route to Somalia crashed into Lake Victoria on Monday after taking off from Uganda's main airport with 11 people on board, including three Burundian military officers ... A Burundi army spokesman confirmed three of its soldiers -- a brigadier general, a colonel and a captain -- had died ... "The information we have is that the plane crashed five minutes after taking off at Entebbe Airport. Burundi deplores the death of three of its officers who were on the plane,"... (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Somalia: 500 African Union Peacekeepers Arrive in Mogadishu Mar 4, 2009
A new batch of African Union peacekeepers arrived in Somalia's capital Tuesday, days after 11 Burundian peacekeepers in Mogadishu were killed in a suicide bomb attack, Radio Garowe reports. A military transport plane delivered 500 new soldiers from Burundi, which will reinforce a 3,500-strong AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM. ... AMISOM soldiers, drawn from Uganda and Burundi, have come under increasing scrutiny following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in January. (allAfrica.com)
UN slams Somali violence Feb 26, 2009
Eleven Burundian soldiers were killed and 15 wounded in the attack on their camp in Mogadishu, according to a statement on Monday by the Burundian army in Bujumbura ... Amisom, which consists of 3400 troops from Uganda and Burundi, is underfunded, poorly equipped and less than half the size of the 8000-member force initially contemplated for the mission. (iAfrica.com)
Mogadishu rocked by fierce battle Feb 25, 2009
The AU's Burundian and Ugandan troops went into Somalia in 2007 ... Meanwhile Burundi vowed to send more peacekeepers to the AU mission ... Burundian Defence Minister Lt Gen Germain Niyoyankana told Radio France Internationale they planned to reinforce their presence with a battalion of 850 men as soon as possible. (BBC News -- Africa)
Fighting kills at least 13 in Somali capital Feb 24, 2009
The latest violence broke out after hardline Islamist group al Shabaab said they would mount more attacks on the AU troops after killing at least 11 Burundian soldiers on Sunday. Burundi buried those peacekeepers on Tuesday and declared five days of national mourning. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
AU peacekeepers killed Feb 23, 2009
An African Union peacekeeper from Burundi patrols a road in Mogadishu ... A suicide attack by Islamist rebels on an African Union base in Mogadishu, Somalia, killed six Burundi peacekeepers and injured another 20 on Sunday ... "There was a suicide attack" against a camp of Burundi soldiers with the African Union peacekeeping force, said Colonel Adlophe Manirakiza, adding: "The toll is six dead and about 20 wounded.". (iAfrica.com)
'They're not here alone' Feb 22, 2009
But when Kevin Nakaha came to Twin Falls from his home in Africa's Burundi to attend the College of Southern Idaho, he also had to adapt to differences in practically everything, from customs, to language, to weather. At CSI, the Black Student Alliance helps multicultural students like Nakaha ease into life in college and the Twin Falls community. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
INTERVIEW-AU calls for quick reinforcement of Somalia force Feb 10, 2009
The AU force in Mogadishu, AMISOM, currently has about 3,200 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi ... Bwakira said Uganda and Burundi would deploy two more battalions of 850 men before the end the of month, bringing AMISOM's strength to 5,100 -- although still short of the planned 8,000. (AlertNet)
