After Citizen Uprising in Burkina Faso and Burundi, Are Niger and Togo Next?

20,000 Nigeriens took to the streets in Niamey, Niger on June, 6. There are multiple causes for the protests: endemic poverty, mediocre governance and restricted free speech are among the main grievances from Nigerien civil society.   These protests come on the hill of similar uprisings in Burkina Faso, Burundi...

What We Know and What Is Still Up in the Air After the Alleged Coup in Burundi

Celebration and jubilation near Presidential offices in Bujumbura after the overthrow of Nkurunziza. #BurundiCoup pic.twitter.com/WhJzXKfS69 — Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) May 13, 2015 Following incumbent Burundi President Nkurunziza's candidacy for a third term, General Godefroid Niyombare announced that he has dismissed the current administration and that he is taking over until...

The Humanitarian Crisis You Haven't Heard of in Burundi

Following Burundi President Nkurunziza's announcement of his candidacy for a third term (unconstitutional by Burundi's existing law), a massive humanitarian crisis has hit the country as at least 50,000 refugees have fled the country after scenes of violence were reported in several cities. The occurrence of violence were often posted...

2015 Presents an Opportunity for Free and Fair Elections in Africa

Wekesa Sylvanus hopes that 2015 will be a year of free and fair elections in Africa: https://wekesasylvanus.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/will-2015-be-a-year-of-free-and-fair-elections-in-africa/ Since the advent of multi party democracy in Africa, electoral contests have become a do or die affair in majority of African countries. Elections in Africa are a high risk affair and in...

The Overlooked Crisis in Burundi

While neighboring Rwanda is making news with the commemoration of the 1994 genocide and the increased tension with France, Burundi is marred in an overlooked political crisis and surge of violence that opposes, again, Hutus and Tutsis.  Tshitenge Lubabu in Burundi opines that the roots of the crisis [fr] are the current political leaders:...

Major Unrest in Burundi ahead of Presidential Elections

At least 19 violent incidents have been documented since the beginning of 2014 in Burundi ahead of the presidential elections. The unrest centers on amendments to the constitution proposed by president Nkurunziza that could allow him to run for a third term. The CNDD-FDD ruling party and its youth wing...

Whistleblower Barrister Expelled for Denoucing Dictatorial Trends in Burundi

Isidore Rufyikiri, Barrister at the Bujumbura Court in Burundi has been expelled from the Bar Association for denouncing dictatorial practices by the regime in power [fr] : J'ai osé dénoncer ce que les autres n'osent pas dénoncer, à savoir la dérive vers l'instauration d'un régime dictatorial au Burundi et la...

An Investigation into the World of Prostitution in Burundi

Cedric Soledad Urakeza from Burundi reports on his investigation into the world of  prostitution in Bujumbura [fr], published on the community blog Les voix du Burundi:      Notre enquête montre trois catégories de prostituées. Il y a celles filles qui viennent de l’intérieur du pays pour chercher du travail domestique...

382 Million in Africa's Workforce Today and 122 Million more in 8 Years

Burundi: Celebrating The First Democratically Elected President

Jean Marie Ngendahayo writes about [fr] the relatively unknown story of Melchior Ndadaye, the first democratically elected president of Burundi after winning the 1993 election. Ngendahayo states that what stood out with Ndadaye was his willingness to reach out to all Burundians; in fact he chose an opponent, Mrs. Sylvie Kinigi as his...

Burundi: A Political Will to Provide Universal Education

The proportion of children in school increased from 59 per cent in 2005 to 96 per cent in 2011. The fact that Burundi is just emerging from war and that its schools were then often targeted makes the progress even more remarkable. Africa Renewal Online reports that government in Burundi...

Burundi: The Challenges of Making a Living from Farming

Lwesso writes [fr] :” It is difficult nowadays to find people who can make a living from farming in Burundi. Farmers often lack the necessary capital to run their businesses and end up putting their lands up for lease.”

Africa: LGBTI Rights in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi

Learn about LGBTI rights in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi from a paper written by Naome Ruzindana. Naome is a feminist and founding member of the Coalition of African Lesbians.

Burundi: Nation-wide forum on media and ICT next month

Burundi plans to hold nationwide talks on the press and the new information and communication technology next month: “Its objective would be to look into the big challenges of material, financial, legal and administrative challenges facing media professionals in the country.”

Burundi: A documentary on land rights

A documentary focusing on land right issues caused by returning refugees from the Burundi genocides.

Burundi: One changed life

One changed life in Burundi: “Beginning with a loan of just $48, Adelaide Barutwanayo grew her clothing sales business in the markets of Gitega, Burundi, to a point where she could comfortably provide for her two children, ages 6 and 13.”

Africa: What does WikiLeaks say about Central Africa?

What does WikiLeaks say about Central Africa?: A cable signed by Hillary Clinton (put up by Jeune Afrique but the link no longer works) directing US officials to gather all relevant information on “people linked the Great Lakes.”

Burundi: The Future of Burundi Film Center

Christopher reflects on the work and the future of Burundi Film Center: “So before the rain season arrives in late September, we’ll be touring the new films all over the country to five provinces and 13 different communes, and hopefully keeping some seed money to get things ready for next...

Burundi: At Rainbow's end

Christopher Redmonds blogs about the shooting of a new movie in Burundi: “The film is based on the true story of a man who fled to Tanzania in 1972 after coming home to find his wife and daughter murdered.”

D.R.of Congo/Burundi: Don't ignore Burundi

Jason's advice for Congo: ignore Burundi at your peril: “Why should the Congolese care? First, Agathon Rwasa, the former head of the FNL rebel group, has probably crossed into the Kivus.”

Rwanda, Burundi: What to Make of Grenades Explosions

Jina Moore tries to sort out the causes of the sudden flurry of grenades attacks in Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi. Moore also reports that opposition in Burundi has claimed massive fraud during the recent elections.