RegionWeek 10th Edition

BURUNDI AND EAST AFIRCA WEEKLY BRIEFING

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ECONOMY

JUNE 22th 2019

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Rwanda has built its first-ever gold refinery NEWS

Egypt’s former p resident, Mohamed Morsi dies incourt SPORT

The US recommends the ‘EAC-led process to reach an agreement ahead of Burundi’s 2020 elections’.

On the sidelines of the United Nations Security Council on Burundi on Friday, June 14, the United States of America has shown its concerns on Burundi’s current stability ahead of the 2020 elections.

Chinese UN Envoy urges International Community to respect Burundi’s Sovereignty.

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Facebook reveals its new cryptocurrency P. 7

Ndikumana Yamini Selemani excluded from Burundi national team in Egypt Guangzhou Route to Boost Rwandair’s Fortunes P. 6

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BURUNDI

The US recommends the ‘EAC-led process to reach an agreement ahead of Burundi’s 2020 elections’.

On the sidelines of the United Nations Security Council on Burundi on Friday, June 14, the United States of America has shown its concerns on Burundi’s current stability ahead of the 2020 elections.

The US representative to the United Nations, before the UN Security Council, has recommended that ‘Burundi should commit to the EAC-led process to reach an agreement before the 2020 elections’.

However, Gitega has already declared that the EAC-led dialogue has been terminated, and now the focus is on the preparations of the 2020 elections.

Read the full statemen t of the United States representative in the United Nations published on the US-UN representative website, and signed by Rodney Hunter.

“Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to all of the briefers for your remarks. The United States is disappointed by the lack of progress since the East African Community (EAC) Heads-of-State Summit on February 1. It does

not appear that any steps have been taken by regional leadership since this Council’s last meeting on Burundi in February, even though Burundians continue to flee the country under political pressure.

UNHCR reports that, although 8,253 Burundian refugees were assisted to return voluntarily from January to April of this year, during that same time period another 2,569 people fled Burundi for the first time.

With this continuing displacement in mind, we call upon the EAC to reinvigorate talks. It is important that all parties commit to the EACled process and reach an agreement ahead of the 2020 elections.

Civic and political space is critical to free and fair elections. Unfortunately, continued reports of human rights violations cast a shadow over Burundi and its electoral preparations. Extrajudicial arrests, beatings, intimidation, and kidnappings, especially by the Imbonerakure ruling party youth wing, pose a grave threat to the country’s peace and security.

Mr. President, a free press is indispensable for democracy. We urge the Burundian government to respect freedom of expression and to allow journalists to operate independently without fear of violence or a forcible shutdown because of their reporting.

We also urge the Government of Burundi to address persistent and reliable reports of illicit arms transfers, combatant recruitment, and armed group activity in eastern DRC that are tied to Burundi . Now is the time for all of the parties to the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework to live up to their commitments of noninterference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and to deny support or safe harbor to armed groups.

The Great Lakes region has a chance to transform into an interconnected hub of peace and prosperity. By resolving its domestic political crisis and strengthening its respect for human rights, Burundi could play a central role in that effort.

Finally, Mr. President, we note our continuing support for Resolution 2303, in which this Council requested that the Secretary-General report on the situation in Burundi every three months. We are concerned by the UN’s failure to submit timely reports as requested by this Council”.

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BURUNDI

RegionWeek June, 2019

Chinese UN Envoy urges International Community to respect Burundi’s Sovereignty.

The Chinese UN envoy has spoken, on Friday, June 14, 2019, in behalf of Burundi and urged the International community to respect Burundi’s sovereignty in regards to its near 2020 elections and provide assistance to Burundi’ s government needs.

WHY IT MATTERS: China, which may be described as ‘gap-filler’ of Burundi, has taken all necessary measures to prevent the Western-led resolutions(sometimes condemned by Gitega) to ‘engulf Burundi’ after the Western world suspended their support to Burundi since 2015.

China and Russia have taken all the necessary steps to ‘keep Burundi standing’ in the face of the International Community.

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The international community should prioritize efforts in creating a favorable external environment for peace and stability of the country, said Wu Haitao, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, in a Security Council meeting, Chinese-state-run media Xinhua, reported.

The International community has been condemning Gitega for the ongoing alleged human rights abuse since 2015. The United Nations, however, acknowledges that there are positive achievements in Burundi ahead of the 2020 Wu Haitao urged the International Community elections. to respect Burundi’s choice of how to handle their matters, especially the 2020 elections. Burundi’s envoy to the UN, Albert Shingiro has “Elections are the internal affairs of a country,” been going at length to convince the UN Secusaid the Chinese envoy. rity Council to remove Burundi on the agenda Related: The AU Commissioner recommends table a the country to follow closely because ‘Burundi is no longer a threat to the internato ‘reopen interBurundian dialogue’. tional peace and Security’.

The Burundian government started preparations for the 2020 elections through consultations with various political parties in the “The Burundian government has stated on many country. It has formulated a roadmap and com- occasions that its situation does not pose a mitted to raising all necessary funding for the threat to regional peace and security and that the question of Burundi should not remain on the elections.

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Security Council’s agenda, Wu Haitao added.

“This fully demonstrated the ability and resolve of the Burundian government and people to take care of their own problems,” Wu Haitao he added.

The Council should listen seriously to the voice of Burundi and make timely and necessary adjustments in light of the latest developments, he added.

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AFRICA

Tanzania launches Arusha Mineral Trading Center.

Tanzania has taken the muchawaited step to launch the Arusha Mineral Trading center. Tanzania governement had issued the last warning to Tanzanite and other mineral traders to kickstart Arusha Mineral Trading center.

As Daily News reported , the Minister for Minerals, Mr. Dotto Biteko ( above ) , said all minerals’ businesses should be conducted and pass at the center so that the government gets its fair revenue, however, he also directed that all traders get permits especially transporters.

The minister said that their objective is to see into it that the sector contributes more to the GDP, given the fact that Tanzania is endowed with a lot and different types of minerals, which should benefit the country and its people, instead of only a small section of individuals or foreigners.

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He said that with the construction of the wall has sharply increased, further noting that the new system would not only benefit the government but also miners and dealers who are willing to adhere to the laws of the land.

The minister added that after changing of the mining law as well as putting in place different regulations and guidance, the mining sector’s contribution to the government coffers has risen from 3.5 percent to 5.07 and was optimistic that once the laws are fully adhered to, it will further rise.

Mr. Biteko said that the Arusha Mineral Trading Center, which was constructed by the order of President John Magufuli, would highly increase income for the government and that fact is being seen, adding that the mining business would now be properly regulated.

THE BIG PICTURE: Tanzania is still rising from the bottom from the poorest countries in the world, especially in the Sub-saharan countries. since the onset of Magufuli’s rule in 2015, Tanzania is doing what is necessary to develop the country in all sectors.

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NEWS

RegionWeek June, 2019

ECONOMY

Rwanda has built its first-ever gold refinery The Republic of Rwanda has built its first-ever gold refinery at a cost of $5 million with the capacity to process gold from all over Africa and boost efforts to ensure that the continent adds value to its minerals before exporting them.

Egypt’s former president, Mohamed Morsi dies incourt Former Egyptian president Mohamed The new refinery conducted by Aldango Company is loMorsi died on Monday, 17 June 2019 after cated at the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Gasabo District. Aldango which was previously running as a busifainting while in court.

The 67 years old was attending a session in his trial on espionage charges when he collapsed in a cage and then died, according to the Egyptian state newspaper al-Ahram.

“He was speaking before the judge for 20 minutes then became very animated and fainted. He was quickly rushed to the hospital where he later died,” a judicial source said.

Morsi was elected as president in 2012, following Egypt’s first and only free elections after the dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced from power.

He won 51.7% of the vote and his rule marked the peak of power for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, which had functioned for decades as an underground political organization.

Morsi was Egypt’s first democratically elected president but he spent just one year in office after the 2011 uprising before the army toppled him in 2013.

Egypt’s military seized power in a coup days later on 3 July 2013. Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi, defence minister who is now the president was brought to power.

Mohamad Morsi, the head of Islamists has been in prison since his ouster on trial for several cases including for spying for Iran, Qatar and militant groups such as Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He was also accused of plotting terror acts.

He received multiple long sentences, including a life sentence for spying for Qatar and a 20-year sentence for killing protesters. A death sentence for charges relating to a mass jailbreak during the revolution was overturned in a retrial in November 2016.

Morsi was issued to have serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but was not receiving medical treatment and that he was being held under constant solitary confinement.

ness dealing in gold is a joint venture between two firms – Hilly Metals Company, a local company, and Aldabra.

“We have built an advanced factory with enough capacity to process large quantities of gold from all around Africa.” Jean de Dieu Mutunzi, the company’s chairman told media on Tuesday 19 June 2019. “What we are doing is not new but people have been used to taking gold to Europe, Dubai, Turkey, Switzerland, and Belgium. Now we have the same factory with the standards as those in Europe and Asia, “For so long we had no factories that process what is being mined on the continent,” he added.

The company’s initiative is to buy gold from all Africa and process it to get 99.99% of quality. It says that it has already access to the international market. Aldango is said to have a capacity to refine 6 tonnes of gold a month, or about 220 kilograms a day with Officials issued to be working to expand its capacity as demand increases. The company’s officials believe that the new refinery can help minimize security or life threats of dealers as they will not need to travel long distances looking Refinery as they are used.

The Government acknowledges the initiative The government of Rwanda says this is an important development Touring the refinery together with other officials on Tuesday, June 19, Rwanda Minister of Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye said, “This is a critical investment for our country.”

“It is a signal of the fact that Rwanda was moving on to the next phase of adding value to its minerals.

“This is also to showcase that we can add value to raw materials and investments that have been made,” she added, pointing out that the African continent loses a lot when it exports its resources raw.

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ECONOMY

Guangzhou Route to Boost Rwandair’s Fortunes Rwandair launched its long-awaited flights to the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Monday 17th June 2019 with the expectation to boost its fortunes. dair aircraft,” the Minister said, with just 1hr28’’ left on the clock, before the aircraft could touch down at Guangzhou’s Baiyun International Airport.

With China, stated as one of Rwanda’s biggest trading partners, Rwandair is expected to benefit more from the new route, with the first flight already being overbooked.

The inaugural flight on the new KigaliGuangzhou route had been fully booked by mid-day Monday. It had 234 passengers onboard, including State Minister for Transport, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye and RwandAir’s chief executive Yvonne Makolo.

Rwanda Minister in Charge of Transport, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said that the lucrative Guangzhou route, with a stopover at Mumbai’s Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, is expected to boost Rwandair’s fortunes by tapping into existing booming trade between Rwanda and China.

Minister Jean de Dieu said this while responding to questions from one of the Rwandan local media about the national carrier’s maiden flight to the Southern China commercial city of Guangzhou.

“This route is an important milestone to Rwandair but also the Rwandan Aviation industry. It is the first longest route we are doing. It connects better the African regions we serve with China and India,” Minister Uwihanganye “China is one of the biggest trading partners of Rwanda and the region. The imports to Rwanda have been growing at 13 % annually and it is now around $400m per year the same as exports almost $6m, growing at 11%,” he added.

According to Minister Uwihanganye, the Guangzhou route will ease transport and significantly reduce transport costs and time which will have an impact on the Rwandan economy.

He added that the route will greatly contribute to Rwanda’s plan to be a regional aviation hub not only for passenger traffic but also cargo.

Officials acknowledged that the Guangzhou route, targeted by major airlines from Africa and the middle east, is expected to be a competitive one, with Rwandair tapping into its central and west African markets to cash in on ‘We are still in the air,’ Uwihanganye said. the route, considered a ‘hot cake’ for global “We have Wi-Fi onboard on all our new Rwan- airlines.

Minister Uwihanganye indicated that the Guangzhou route to Rwanda is depicted to be a strategic and efficient line of operation for the local business community.

“China is now being the factory of the world.

There are more imports coming from China into the region, and the majority of products come from Guangzhou, which is one of the biggest trade hubs in China,” Minister Uwihanganye explained.

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SPORTS

Kenya: Harambee Stars touch down in Egypt for AFCON

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RegionWeek June, 2019

TECHNEWS Facebook reveals its new cryptocurrency Facebook has finally announced its long-awaited cryptocurrency namely Libra and set up a digital wallet subsidiary called Calibra to let people spend and save the currency.

The Kenya National Team, Harambee Stars has arrived in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations that kicks off on Friday, June 21, 2019.

The Kenya National Team jetted to Cairo from France where they had spent about 19 days to prepare for the continental showpiece.

Kenya Harambee Stars will be contesting in the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations for the second time after 15 years.

Read also: Uganda Cranes arrived safely in Egypt The team arrived safely in Cairo on Tuesday, June 19, 2019, and is set to hold a light training session on Wednesday.

Harambee Stars will play their opening game of AFCON against Algeria on Sunday, June 23, 2019.

Kenya played two friendly matches in Europe, winning 1-0 over Madagascar and sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

Harambee Stars are placed in Group C alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Tanzania.

Kenya will play its first match against Algeria on June 23 before facing neighbor Tanzania Taifa Stars on June 27, the last game of Group will be against Senegal on July 1, 2019.

The social media giant said on Tuesday, 18th, June 2019 it will launch the new Libra cryptocurrency as part of its blockchain-powered Calibra digital wallet. Calibra will be connected to Facebook messaging platforms such as Messenger and WhatsApp to provide financial services to billions of “unbanked” people around the world.

The whole system is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2020.

The social networking giant officially revealed what its buzzy and secretive blockchain team has been working on for the last year or so: Facebook’s new cryptocurrency aims to provide fast, cheap, and secure online payments via smartphones across the globe, sidestepping the traditional financial system.

The social networking giant is partnering with 28 world firms including Mastercard, eBay, Spotify, PayPal, Uber, as well as venture capital firms, and non-profit groups to form Libra Association, a Geneva-based entity governing the new digital coin, but no banks are yet part of the group, according to marketing materials, and executives.

The name “Libra” comes from Roman weight measurements, the astrological sign for justice and the French word for freedom, said David Marcus, who heads the project for Facebook.

“Freedom, justice, and money, which is exactly what we’re trying to do here,” Marcus added.

Harambee Stars squad for AFCON Here is Kenya Harambee Stars final AFCON Squad Goalkeepers Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo Defenders Philemon Otieno, Abud Omar, Bernard Ochieng, Musa Mohammed, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu, David Owino, Eric Ouma Midfielders Victor Wanyama, Dennis Odhiambo, Erick Johanna, Ayub Timbe, Francis Kahata, Ismael Gonzalez, Ovella Ochieng, Paul Were, Johanna Omollo Forwards Masud Juma, Michael Olunga, John Avire

Libra will be “a stable currency built on a secure and stable open-source blockchain, backed by a reserve of real assets, and governed by an independent association,” its white paper reads.

“Our hope is to create more access to better, cheaper, and open financial services no matter who you are, where you live, what you do, or how much you have.”

“Libra’s mission is to enable a simple global currency and financial infrastructure that empowers billions of people,” Dante Disparte, head of policy and communications at the Libra Association, said in an interview.

In practice, that means a digital currency that will be available to use via a smartphone app to make easy payments and send cash across borders without the kind of fees that the financial industry is notorious for.

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SPORTS

Uganda Cranes delegation Ndikumana Yamini Selemani excludarrives in Egypt for AFCON ed from Burundi national team in The Uganda Cranes delegation arrived Egypt safely in Cairo on Monday evening 17th June 2019 for the TOTAL Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 finals.

“The delegation of 23 players and 12 officials was warmly received by the CAF protocol team at Cairo International Airport and the FUFA Advance party led by the leader of the delegation, Hon Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi.” According to the Football of Uganda Federation The Cranes took their flight to Egypt after beating Ivory Coast (1-0) in a friendly match played at Sheikh Zayed Sports City on Saturday, 15 June 2019 counting for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The national team of Uganda reached Cairo at 7:30 PM aboard Egypt Air from Abu Dhabi.

They checked in at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cairo City.

Uganda Cranes are placed in Group A together with Egypt (host nation), DR Congo, and Zimbabwe.

Uganda Cranes are set to play their first match against DR Congo on June 22, 2019, before facing Zimbabwe on June 26, 2019, and Egypt on June 30, 2019.

Uganda 23-man squad for AFCON Here is Uganda Cranes official 23-man squad for the Total Africa Cup of Nations Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City, Ethiopia).

Defenders: Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Brian Ronald Ddungu Mukiibi (Ostersunds, Sweden), Murushid Jjuuko (Simba, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town, England), Isaac Muleme (FK Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Un-attached), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Timothy Denis Awanyi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Godfrey Walusimbi (Un-attached).

Midfielders: Mike Azira (Montreal Impact, Canada), Allan Kateregga (Maritzburg, South Africa), William Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy, Kazakhstan), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica, Croatia), Abdul Lumala (Syrianska, Sweden), Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda).

Strikers: Patrick Henry Kaddu (KCCA FC, Uganda), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC Uganda), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Simba, Tanzania).

Burundi striker, Ndikumana Yamini Selemani has been excluded from the national team in Egypt following his misbehavior.

The decision was taken on Thursday, June 20, 2019, by the technical staff of the Football Federation of Burundi which is currently in Egypt for the Total Africa Cup of Nations that is going to kick off on Friday, June 21, 2019.

A statement on the Football Federation of Burundi Facebook page read as follow, “The player ndikumana yamini is no longer part of the Burundi national team players who are going to take part in the CAN 2019 scheduled in Egypt from June 21 to July 19, 2019.

staff have agreed to defend the national colors from This June 22, 2019.

“All the other 22 players are in shape with a good spirit to challenge Nigeria from the first entry to the AFCON contestation on Saturday in Alexandria.”

No other player has been announced to replace him.

The Burundi Striker was among the 23man final squad for Swallows that jetted Wednesday in Alexandria- Egypt, and he was on the final list submitted to CAF.

“The decision of the return of this player was taken today (Thursday, June 20, 2019) by the technical staff, after misbehavior shown by this player, thus violating the rules of conduct and solidarity that the players and

Burundi Swallows are set to make their debut at AFCON on Saturday 22 June 2019 against Nigeria.

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