Tchad: Le Mouvement Citoyen le Temps-Tchad (MICT) – Relatif a la coupure de l’internet dans une vingtaine de province du pays ! (17.09.2020)

Burundi: UN Report sheds light on the Human Rights Violations by state operatives [Imbonerakure]

Since the Burundian crisis and the total control of power by the ruling regime of CNDD-FDD. The violence has escalated. The army, the police and the youth wing of the party have used violence, intimidation and brutality to enforce control of the Republic. They have promoted the leadership of the youth wing, Imbonerakure. The current day President Evariste Ndayishimiye is following the same program and same structure as his predecessor. Using the same means to silence critics and activists.

United Nations and Multi-National Organizations have meet a hostile behaviour. The Burundian government have also left the Rome Statute, which means they are not connected to the International Criminal Court. That they did to shield itself from prosecution and from investigation. Still, even doing that, the UN has still conducted investigations and prepared this report, which was prepared for the Human Rights Council period from the 12th September to 2nd October 2020. Therefore, this has gone public and the same struggles remains. The change of head of state didn’t change behaviour, only amplifying old human rights violations and conducting same violence against own citizens.

The CNDD-FDD and Ndayishimiye is following the same actions. Using the same means. It is worrying and that it’s not creating headlines or a stir. Says a lot as the innocent are beaten, tortured and killed. The Imbonerakure are allowed to act as the jury, the judge and the hangman. While the public can fear if they are dissidents or affiliated with organizations that is not sanctioned by the state.

Just take a look:

The perpetrators of these human rights violations were mainly members of the Imbonerakure and local administrative officials acting alone or jointly with the police or the National Intelligence Service. In cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, the responsibility lies mainly with police and National Intelligence Service officers, but also with members of the judiciary” (United Nations, P: 7, 2020).

Several members of the CNL have been murdered in reprisal for their political activities. Violent clashes between the Imbonerakure and members of the CNL have resulted in injuries and deaths on both sides. Members of the Imbonerakure have also beaten up activists from the CNL individually or in small groups; some victims have been seriously injured, and some of these incidents constitute a form of torture” (United Nations, P: 8, 2020).

People with a specific profile, such as currency traders and former members of the FAB (the former Burundian army), have been found dead a few days after their disappearance, obviously having been executed. The police have also conducted operations in which people have been summarily executed instead of being apprehended. Bodies bearing signs of violence continue to be found in public places, and the authorities make no attempt to establish the victims’ identities or the circumstances of their death” (United Nation, P: 11, 2020)

The Commission has updated its list of alleged perpetrators of crimes against humanity, which remains confidential in order to protect sources and to respect the presumption of innocence of the alleged perpetrators. However, the Commission reserves the right to share the list. The Commission is extremely concerned about the fact that some of the individuals on the list hold senior positions in the new Government and have been promoted within the defence and security forces since the new President, Mr. Ndayishimiye, took office” (United Nations, P: 16, 2020).

We are seeing similar reports to what has happen during Nkurunziza. The CNDD-FDD is continuing to punish CNL and Ex-FAB. That is something they have continued to do during its reign. In Burundi that is status quo and the government are reigning with impunity. Using force against civilians and dissidents. This is what they do know and what they are known for.

This UN Report isn’t stating anything shocking, but a continued state of affairs, which deserves recognition. Since, this is totalitarian and tyranny, where the arms of the government is apprehending, assaulting and killing the ones who defies its rule. CNDD-FDD wants to be known for this, but hopes the headlines isn’t catching up on them. As they want to do this in silence and with as little reporting as possible. Because this is weakening their standing and the general perception of the Republic.

The new President Ndayishimiye wants to be glorified leader and a respected one. He doesn’t want to be remembered a bloody tyrant. Even if that is true, he got blood on his hands and that is his legacy. Just as it was the same for Nkurunziza, now its Evariste’s time to be so. The silence is deafening and we can wonder when somebody is really ringing the alarm. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations – Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi (13.08.2020)

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on Mr. Moses Nkonge Kibalama (17.09.2020)

World Food Programme (WFP) expands assistance to families struggling in flood-devastated regions of Sudan (17.09.2020)

The flooding is the worst Sudan has seen in nearly a century.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, September 17, 2020 – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency food assistance to reach nearly 160,000 people hit by devastating floods that have affected nine states of Sudan.

“Rains and floods have been much worse than anyone could have anticipated, causing a national disaster,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Sudan, Hameed Nuru ”People have lost their homes, farmlands, schools and loved ones. Some of these people have lost everything.”

The flooding is the worst Sudan has seen in nearly a century. According to the Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, 650,000 people have been affected since the start of the rains in mid-July.

WFP provided a first round of emergency food assistance to 7,200 people and distributions for 40,000 people are currently ongoing.  “WFP is working tirelessly with the Government of Sudan and partners to get food out to the affected people. Together, we are trying to scale up the number of people reached every day,” he added.

WFP is planning to distribute two-week rations to flood-affected people in Khartoum, East and North Darfur, White Nile, North and West Kordofan, Red Sea, Sennar, and Kassala. As more assessments are underway, the number of flood-affected people requiring food assistance is likely to increase.

With the heavy rains making access to affected areas difficult, WFP has facilitated rapid needs assessments and delivery of assistance using the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). Since the start of flood season, WFP has participated in some 20 assessment missions to guide interventions and identify people who are most in need. WFP has transported three metric tons of food supplies provided by the government to flood-affected people in Bout town in Blue Nile state.

The devastating floods come at a time when hunger levels remain alarmingly high in Sudan with increased and protracted displacement, economic decline and inflation, and high food price hikes, exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, WFP continues to provide emergency food assistance to ensure critical support reach the people in need.

“WFP is also working to implement all necessary precautions during distributions to minimize the risk of contacting or spreading COVID-19 and ensure the safety of staff and the people we serve,” Nuru said.

WFP’s flood response to date has been made possible by the generosity of donors, including German Federal Foreign Office, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, and the United States Agency for International Development.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – Benishangul-Gumuz Region: Killings and Displacement (17.09.2020)

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF): Operation to pursue escapees from Singila Government Prison in Moroto (17.09.2020)

Djibouti: Radde – Communique de Presse – L’Union Africaine saisie sur le processus electoral Djiboutien (16.09.2020)

Burundi – Message de Red Tabara : Au Peuple Burundais et au Monde « Nous n’Avons Plus d’Autres Choix Que de Lutter pour la Survie et la Dignite de Notre Peuple» (15.09.2020)

Cameroon: The Brigade Anti-Sardinards (BAS) warns the Cameroonian Government against the repression of the peaceful demonstrations announced for the coming days and calls on the International Community to witness (16.09.2020)

Tchad: Ministere de la Communication – Communique de Presse No. 008 (16.09.2020)