Burundi Roundup: High-profile arrests, gender-based violence, appointments
Burundi’s former Prime Minister imprisoned for life
Burundi’s Supreme Court has sentenced former Prime Minister, Alain-Guilaume Bunyoni to life imprisonment over attempts to overthrow the government and threatening the life of the president. According to local news outlet Arib News, the former prime minister was accused of seven crimes including plotting against the head of state to overthrow the constitutional regime, an attempted assassination of the head of state in the aid of fetishes, insulting the Head of State and the Prime Minister or even undermining the internal security of the State,” announced a judicial source, on condition of anonymity.
Amendment proposal for gender-based violence laws
Amnesty International has called on the government of Burundi to take action towards the amendment of the country’s laws on gender-based violence. The human rights organization argues that the 2016 law falls far short of regional and international best practices. A report by local news outlet RPA indicates that Amnesty is concerned about the laws violating human rights including the right to privacy and non-discrimination despite having others that protect citizens against rape. The NGO also raises concerns about inconsistencies between the GBV law and the 2017 Penal Code which create uncertainty as to the provisions that judges should apply.
World Bank projects
The World Bank of Directors has adopted a $100 million project to meet the urgent needs of Burundi’s private sector. The Project for Employment and Economic Transformation aims to promote access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The project which was designed to respond to the urgent needs of the private sector will also improve the business climate towards economic growth and job creation of more than 115,000 direct and indirect jobs. It is expected to last for a period of over five years, Burundi Eco reported.
Oil palm cultivation losses
The National Communication Network for Disaster Risk Reduction has revealed that certain communes of Rumonge Province have raised a cry of alarm over oil palm cultivation which is being threatened by the effects of climate change. According to Burundi Eco, The Palm Oil Office (OHP) has also alerted that more than flooding has destroyed several hectares of oil palm cultivation leading to huge losses for farmers. They fear that the price of palm oil will be revised upwards following production.
UN appointment
Séraphine Wakana originally from Burundi has been appointed as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, with the approval of the host government. Ms Wakana has over 28 years of experience in coordination, policy engagement, economics and development planning, Arib News has reported. Prior to her current appointment, she served as United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, where she led the UN's efforts to support The Gambia's national development priorities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
