RegionWeek 9th Edition

N° 009

BURUNDI

JUNE 15th 2019

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EAST

AFIRCA

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SPORT AFCON-2019: Emmanuel Amuneke reveals Tanzania’s 23man squad

BURUNDI ‘Burundi peace improves before 2020 elections’, one report says.

EVENTS Already 24 years: Commemorating the massacre of Hutu Students at the University of Burundi

COVER STORY

Get key points from Pierre Nkurunziza and Felix Tshisekedi tête-à-tête: Eradica-

tion of armed rebels in the Eastern DRC and more.

DR Congo head of state, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo arrived in Bujumbura this Friday, June 14th. His program calls for a face-to-face meeting with Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza.

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Burundi: President Pierre Nkurunziza launches the Industrial Fair 2nd edition

DR Congo wants to join EAC as 7th member

Burundi 23-man final squad for AFCON revealed

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AFRICA

Get key points from Pierre Nkurunziza and Felix Tshisekedi tête-à-tête: Eradication of armed rebels in the Eastern DRC and more.

Related: DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi meets Burundi Head of State Pierre Nkurunziza.

The joint communique says in part that the DR Congo President has been accompanied by a high-level delegation and was received by Burundi head of State.

The communique says that the visit of Felix Tshisekedi in Burundi was to ‘reinforce the already existing friendship between Burundi and DR Congo’.

WHY IT MATTERS: DR Congo president has already held a face-to-face with almost all of the East African Community since his presidency onset. Tshisekedi is championing for the integration of his country in the East African Community block. The incumbent EAC Chairman, Paul Kagame, is said to have already notified all EAC Heads of States of the DR Congo desire to be integrated in the East African Community.

DR Congo head of state, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo arrived in Bujumbura this Friday, June 14th.

His program calls for a face-to-face meeting with Burundi President, Pierre Nkurunziza.

The president of Burundi and his counterpart of DR Congo have agreed on the complete eradication’ of the armed rebel movements in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two heads of state held a tete-a-tete conversation where they touched on ‘various questions of common interest, regional and international ones’.

The statement adds that the two Heads of state are ‘determined to keep firm and warm their contacts’ from time to time.

DR Congo President congratulated Burundi on the preparation of the ‘free and fair 2020 elections and urged Burundians to go on in this way’, notes the joint communique.

Felix Tshisekedi held a face-to-face conversation action on regional issues such as the rampant fightings in the Eastern DR Congo.

Thsisekedi did not forget to mention and congratulating Burundi’s resolve to keep its good stance on maintaining and keeping peace and security in Somalia and the Central African Republic.

THE BIG PICTURE: DR Congo country has been beset by armed groups fighting in the Eastern Part, such as South Kivu and North Kivu. For ages, armed rebel movements have been reported intensifying their stronghold in UVira where frequent clashes between DR Congo military, FARDC and rebels take place.

Burundi Head of State, on his part, took the time to congratulate Tshisekedi on his 2018 election and wished all Congolese people all the best in their unification in order to reach the ‘economic development in the country’, the joint communique added.

This was reached between Pierre Nkurunziza and his counterpart of DR Congo on the sideline of the meeting between the two Heads of State which took place yesterday on Friday, June 14, 2019.

Sub-regional integration was also discussed, as Felix Tshisekedi does not hide his intentions to join the East African Economic Community.

Burundi head of state, Pierre Nkurunziza posted in his Twitter page, “Through a fully organized electoral process without outside influence and the wisdom of President Kabila, the DRC has just defended its dignity and sovereignty. Burundi congratulates the elected President, HE Félix A. Tshisekedi and the step taken by the Congolese people.”

The two presidents issued a Joint communiqué in which they touched on many issues of the ‘relations between the two countries’.

“I am thinking of the Ruzizi dam that Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC can exploit.

We can diversify our economy. These people have lived together for centuries and will continue to live together. There are many things they do that require to be supervised, “said the Congolese Head of State last March, as part of the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.

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BURUNDI PRESS AGENCY

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RegionWeek June, 2019

Burundi: President Pierre Nkurunziza launches the Industrial Fair 2nd edition The President of the Republic of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza has solemnly opened the 2nd edition of the industrial fair which will last three days from this Thursday, 13 June 2019 to 15 June 2019 which takes place in Bujumbura at Hotel Club Lake Tanganyika.

The President indicates that the fair is taking place when Burundi has just developed its own development plan, which is a first national development plan developed by the Burundians themselves.

The Head of State proceeding to the official opening of the Industrial Fair He pointed out that in the field of industrial policy, the government’s intention is to establish an industrial platform favorable to employment and youth and industrial know-how.

Thus, Mr. Nkurunziza recommended to the ministry having the industry in its attributions to submit without delay to the council of ministers the national policy on industrialization based on the national development plan 2018-2027 and without omitting the considerations sub-regions in this area. “We want an industry that respects environmental and international requirements and adds value to jobs and economic growth,” he said.

It also meant that he expects from this industrial fair, training, employment, respect for environmental standards and social responsibility.

“My first goal is to reconcile young people with their land, their heritage, and their territorial identity,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Olivier Suguru, the President of the Association of Industrialists of Burundi (AIB) has said that this 2nd edition will serve as a meeting place for professionals from the sector of the sub-region and the rest of the world to exchange experience and forge win-win partnerships.

An opportunity will also be given to a maximum of small and medium-sized local industries to create and establish lasting and reliable relations with the economic operators of the sub-region, he added.

According to Mr. Suguru, manufacturers will also have an opportunity to present their products to professional retailers and potential buyers.

Through the thematic sessions and conference debates, professionals in the sector will try to provide solutions to the concerns of local industries, he reassured.

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NEWS

DR Congo wants to join EAC as 7th member

BURUNDI

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi has written to the current chairman of the East African Community, President Paul Kagame, expressing his country’s wish to join the bloc.

A letter dated June 8, 2019 and signed by the DR Congo head of State, Felix Tshisekedi in which he states that his request follows the ever-growing trade between the business community in his country and member states of the East African Community now made of 6 countries, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan being the latest.

– heads of state – our passionate wish to join the organization so that we can contribute to the development of this sub-region,” the letter reads.

‘The giant of Africa’ totaling 2.3 million square kilometers with 81.3 million habitats (2017), DRC is a big trade to all the EAC member states.

Meanwhile, Rwanda submits DR Congo’s request to EAC body. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC affairs, told The New Times that Rwanda wrote to the EAC Secretary General on Tuesday, June 11, asking that Kinshasa’s request can be put on the agenda of the The letter addressed to next Summit of EAC Heads President Paul Kagame in of State and Government part read as follow, slated on November 30, 2019, in ArushaTanzania.

“Following the conversation we had in Kigali and According to Owora Richard later on in Kinshasa and Othieno, Head of Corporate the interest that showed Communications and Pubmy country to adhere to lic Affairs at EAC noted that the community of the East “if there is an urgent issue African Community, I am of regional importance, honored to make an official the Chair can call for an adhesion request,” Extraordinary Summit any “Would you kindly pres- time or month.” ent to your counterparts News of DR Congo’s request to join East African Community was confirmed

by Olivier Nduhungirehe, State Minister in charge of East African community at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

‘Burundi peace improves before 2020 elections’, one report says.

One report of the Vision of Humanity, Burundi peace has improved as the country is heading toward the 2020 elections.

The report indicates that Burundi has risen five places in rankings to position 134 in the 2018 Global pace Index (GPI) , which measures nations’ and regions’ peacefulness.

In 2017, Burundi recorded the second most significant deterioration in the state of peace.

“Regional organizations are now willing to hold conferences in Burundi whereas they had considered previously considered it too unsafe to travel there”, the report says.

According to Vision of Humanity, Burundi managed to restore relative security by clamping down on the opposition “The deterioration was and curtailing civil liberlargely driven by the po- ties. litical crisis triggered by the controversial re-elec- But, despite the improvetion of the incumbent ment in the Global Peace president, Pierre Nkurun- Index, the country saw ziza in July 2015”, reads an increase in the numa report from Vision of ber of refugees and interHumanity , an interna- nationally displaced peotional organization that ple as a percentage of carries out research on the population, from 3.9 global peace and devel- percent to 4.7 percent. opment.

Burundi remains one of the 10 least peaceful countries in Sub-saharan Africa with 2018 beAccording to the report, ing the first time since Burundi recorded 2014 that the country improvements in improved in the Global militarization, safety and security, and a decrease in Peace Index.

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the conflict domain.

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AFRICA

Rwanda reopens Gatuna border temporarily.

Rwanda has taken the decision to reopen the Gatuna border temporarily after the unilateral closure on February 28, 2019. order is open for only two weeks to allow heavy trucks to cross the border’.

As the communique says, the Gatuna border will be reopened temporarily from June 10 through June 22, 2019.

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“The management of Rwanda Revenue Authority is pleased to inform the general public that heavy trucks are allowed to provisionally cross Gatuna OSBP between 10th and 22nd June in order to facilitate these trial activities as requested by RTDA,” reads the communication dated June 7 and signed by Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali, the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority.

The border closure has tainted relations between Kigali and Kampala, where both countries’ presidents have engaged in barbed rhetoric , threatening to launch pre-emptive strikes.

RegionWeek June, 2019

SPORT

Burundi 23-man final squad for AFCON revealed According to communication from Rwanda Revenue Authority, the border reopening is to enable heavy trucks to ‘do trials on the road’.

Burundi national team coach, Olivier Niyungeko has revealed his final squad made with 23 men for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The issued memo does not indicate when to fully reopen the Gatuna border.

People living in Uganda and Rwanda have been suffering due to this border closure as it was facilitating trade between two countries.

The Swallows 23-man squad made with only players who play their international league out of the country.

Rwanda relies heavily on Uganda when it comes to importing food commodities and other items.

Some people, mostly Rwandans, have been risking their lives to cross the border in order to trade or buy food items from Uganda.

Reports say that the border between Uganda and Rwanda may be populated with heavily armed forces from both countries on standby to repel an unexpected attack from either Uganda or Rwanda.

Burundi are set to play their friendly game against Algeria on Tuesday, 11 June 2019 at 7:00 pm in Doha-Qatar where Burundi Swallows are camping.

After Algeria, Burundi Swallows will take their flight to Tunisia for another friendly game on 17 June 2019 before heading to Alexandra in Egypt for their debut in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Swallows will play their first game on 22 June 2019 at 7:00 pm against Nigeria before facing Madagascar on 27 June 2019 at 4:30 pm, and Guinea on 30 June 2019 at 6:00 pm.

Here is Burundi 23-man final squad for 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

Goalkeepers: 1 Jonathan Nahimana 2 Justin Ndikumana 3 Arthyr Mac Arakaza Defenders : 4 Frédéric Nsabiyumva 5 Moussa Omar 6 David Nshimirimana 7 Ngando Omar 8 Christophe Nduwarugira 9 Karim Nizigiyimana Midfielders: 10 Pierrot Kwizera 11 Gaël Bigirimana 12 Gaël Duhayindavyi 13 Moustapha Francis 14 Enock Nsabumukama 15 Shassir Nahimana Strikers : 16 Fiston Abdoul-Razak 17 Saido Berahino 18 Mohamed Amissi 19 Cedric Amisi 20 Shabani Hussein 21 Elvis Kamsoba 22 Laudit Mavugo 23 Selemani Ndikumana

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Burundi Head of State receives World Bank Director, Mrs. Bella Bird.

NEWS SPORT

AFCON-2019: Emmanuel Amuneke reveals Tanzania’s 23man squad

The President of the Republic of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza received in audience Mrs. Bella Bird, Regional Director in charge of Operations at the World Bank on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Burundi head of state, Pierre Nkurunziza expressed the gratitude of Burundian people over the World Bank support through the financing of certain national projects.

He congratulated their National Representative who has always made a lucid reading of the circumstances experienced by Burundi.

Thanking the President of the Republic for the good cooperation of the Government of Burundi, Ms. Bird was pleased to have been able to accompany, on behalf of the World Bank, innovative projects that had a real impact in the lives of the Burundian population.

She also praised the remarkable progress made by Burundi in several sectors of socio-economic life, including energy, health, and education.

This meeting with the President of the Republic was also an opportunity for Mrs. Bird, whose mandate as World Bank Director for Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, and Somalia expires on July 15, to present Jean Christophe Carret, his successor as Regional Director of the World Bank.

Tanzania national team head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has unveiled his final squad for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Nigerian tactician has omitted 9 players from his initial 32-man squad, including Kelvin John Pius 15-year-old, who impressed for Tanzania in the justconcluded U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Taifa Stars final squad for AFCON includes 10 players who play their trades abroad while 13 play for local clubs in Tanzania.

The Taifa Stars have lined up two international friendly games in preparation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

They are set to play their first friendly match against Egypt (the host country of the tournament) on Thursday, 12 June 2019, while their second friendly tie will be against Zimbabwe on Saturday 14 June 2019.

Read also: Kenya: Harambee Stars final squad for AFCON revealed The Tanzania Taifa Stars are placed in Group C alongside neighbors, Kenya Harambee Stars, Algeria, and Senegal.

The Stars will kick off their campaign for the tournament against Senegal on June 23, 2019, next against Kenya on 27 June

2019, and against Algeria on 1 July 2019.

Here is Tanzania Taifa Stars 23-man Squad for AFCON Goalkeepers Aishi Manula (Simba SC),Metacha Mhata (Mbao FC) and Aron Kalambo (TZ Prisons).

Defenders Hassan Ramadan (Nkana FC), Vincent Phillipo (Mbao FC), Gadiel Michael (Young Africans), Ally Mtoni (Lipuli FC), Mohammed Hussein (Simba SC), Kelvin Yondani (Young Africans), Erasto Nyoni (Simba SC) and Agrey Moris (Azam FC) Midfielders Feisal Salum (Young Africans), Himid Mao (Petrojet FC), Mudathir Yahya (Azam FC), Frank Domayo (Azam FC), Farid Mussa (Tenerife) and Yahya Zayd (Ismailia).

Forwards Rashid Mandawa (BDF), Mbwana Samatta (Genk), Thomas Ulimwengu (JS Saoura), John Bocco (Simba SC), Abdillanie Mussa (Blackpool) and Simon Msuva (Difaä El Jadid).

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EVENTS

Already 24 years: Commemorating the massacre of Hutu Students at the University of Burundi It has been 24 years since a horrible and merciless massacre of Hutu students took place at the University of Burundi, mainly at Mutanga Campus and other campuses such as Kamenge or Zege in Gitega.

In the night of 11 to 12 June 1995 a group of Tutsi students supported by the infamous militia known as “Sans Echec”, attacked and killed their fellow students just for the simple reason they were Hutu.

The heinous criminal acts – which could be justly considered as a crime against humanity – happened under the complicit eye of then Burundi armed forces (FAB) which did little or nothing to protect the victims.

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Until today the exact number of victims is not known but it is estimated that more than 100 students were killed.

The killings took place in the context of the 1993+ conflict generated by the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye during a military coup that ignited an ethnic bloodbath across the country.

The former Foreign Affairs minister Ambassador Alain Aime Nyamitwe is one of the survivors of the massacre that took place at the university of Burundi.

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Until today the exact number of victims is not known but it is estimated that more than 100 students were killed.

The killings took place in the context of the 1993+ conflict generated by the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye during a military coup that ignited an ethnic bloodbath across the country.

In his tweet related to the commemoration event, he reminded some of the names of his friends who lost their lives in the killings. They include Gordien, Hector, Emile and many more.

The victims of the massacres at the differ ent campuses included some educators and university staff as well.

A category of victims who have never been remembered are those who were killed in the different High schools commonly known as “Lycees”.

They include the former Athenee de Gitega or Lycee Musinzira; Ecole Normale de Gitega, Ecole des Travaux Publics; Ecole Paramedicale,

where the killings were perpetrated shortly after the death of Ndadaye and following the violence raging in the neighboring areas.

Other killings included the launch of hand grenades at Lycee Makamba and Rumonge and probably other places not yet known, leading to dozens of pupils losing their lives.

The commemoration of the 1995 killings at university of Burundi is an important way of paying a tribute to the innocent victims and an attempt to heal the trauma of their loved ones.

The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will play a key role in helping the Burundian society to address the consequences of these killings in a way that bring cohesion, peace and true healing.

Without dealing with this traumatic past, Burundi will not properly engage into the path of sustainable development.

RegionWEEK is a Weekly News Briefing about Brurundi and East Africa.

Publisher: RegionWeek Ltd Editor in chief: Fabrice Iranzi Head of Africa Bureau: John Nshimirimana 11, Avenue du Gouvernement, Rohero Bujumbura-Burundi Tél: +257 79 43 28 86 P.O Box 6402 Bujumbura