http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF_V7XiyFkQ
“Rwomushana says there is still a long way to resolve the problem of Burundi” (NBS TV Uganda, 2015).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF_V7XiyFkQ
“Rwomushana says there is still a long way to resolve the problem of Burundi” (NBS TV Uganda, 2015).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJ1FS_lOMs
“He said there is no Burundian who was killed unfairly in Burundi. He also said the government is willing to sit and discuss and discuss with those with grievances” (NBS TV Uganda, 2015).

The AU reiterates its call on the Burundian Government to urgently consent to the deployment of the planned African Prevention and Protection Mission in Burundi
Addis Ababa, 25 December 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, continues to closely follow the situation in Burundi and efforts aimed at finding an early and peaceful solution to the current crisis.
In this context, she welcomes the resumption of the inter-Burundian dialogue in Entebbe, Uganda, on 28 December 2015, under the auspices of His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni. She calls on all the Burundian stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the Mediation and to place the interest of their country and its people above any other consideration. She reiterates that only a genuine and truly inclusive dialogue will enable the Burundian stakeholders to overcome the current challenges.
As a follow-up to the communiqué adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), at its 565th meeting held on 17 December 2015, regarding notably the deployment of an African Prevention and Protection Mission in Burundi (MAPROBU), the Chairperson of the Commission has written to His Excellency President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, to seek the consent of the Burundian Government for the early deployment of MAPROBU and the effective implementation of its mandate. In that letter, Dr. Dlamini Zuma stressed that the AU has no other agenda than to assist the Government and people of Burundi at their hour of need, consistent with its commitment to promote African solutions to African problems. She expressed the AU’s readiness to rapidly initiate discussions with the Government of Burundi to devise the best ways and means of facilitating the deployment of the Mission, in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.
The Chairperson of the Commission has also written to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, to convey the PSC call for full UN support, including the authorization of a support package funded by assessed contributions, to enable the rapid and effective deployment of the envisaged Mission, on the basis of the expressed consent of the Government of Burundi.
The Chairperson of the Commission underlines that the deployment of MAPROBU and the effective implementation of its mandate will greatly help in defusing the current tension and reducing the level of violence. This, in turn, will facilitate the ongoing efforts to promote dialogue spearheaded by H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, on behalf of the Region.
As directed by the PSC, the Commission is taking steps to finalize the Concept of Operation and other planning documents for MAPROBU, to facilitate the early deployment of the Mission, on the basis of the expressed consent of the Government of Burundi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-sbHr2kaEE
“He has been mediating the talks since fighting broke out in Burundi early this year. Due to his tight schedule due to campaigns he has appointed Defense Minister Chrispus Kiyonga” (NBS TV, Uganda, 2015).

The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country.
The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country. The additional support brings total Commission humanitarian aid to help the Burundian people to €14 million in 2015.
More than 220 000 people, over half of whom are children, are estimated to have left the country since April this year to neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
“The humanitarian situation affecting Burundians is worsening. The refugee numbers are rising, with almost a quarter of a million people having now fled their homes. This is extremely worrying – both for Burundi, and for the neighbouring countries whose hosting capabilities have been stretched to the limit. Hosting government’s efforts in welcoming those who fled the violence are commendable. This additional EU funding will help address the refugees’ most pressing needs, notably in Tanzania. It will also contribute to humanitarian protection activities inside Burundi.” said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
The most urgent humanitarian needs to address remain shelter, water and sanitation, as well as health assistance to stop the possible surge of diseases and epidemics, notably cholera.
Background:
Following the announcement on 25 April 2015 that President Pierre Nkurunziza would seek a third mandate, provoking serious political division, Burundi has undergone a sustained political and security crisis – this crisis brought with it a surge in the number of refugees.
Tanzania has received the highest number of Burundian refugees so far (nearly 117 000) mostly to the Nyarugusu refugee camp, which was already hosting some 60 000 Congolese refugees. Nyarugusu has consequently become one of the largest and most overcrowded refugee camps in the world. While two news camps are under construction to decongest Nyarugusu, living conditions there continue to be dire. Hundreds of people still live in overcrowded mass shelters months after their arrival, while wet floors and cramped conditions increase risks of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.

In response to Burundi joining the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three year term beginning January 1, 2016, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“Burundi should be suspended rather than be allowed to formally join the UNHRC, given the flagrant human rights abuses committed by the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza,” said Mark P. Lagon, president of Freedom House. “Suspending Burundi from the UNHRC, as the Council did with Libya in 2011, sends a strong message to the government that violent tactics are not acceptable, and may pressure the government to participate in an internationally mediated dialogue on neutral soil. We welcome the Council’s special session on Burundi, scheduled for this Thursday, and the Council’s intention to send an investigative team there in January.”
Background:
The UN has received reports that as many as 200 people died December 11-12, when rebel forces attacked three military installations and Burundian security forces responded with door-to-door searches. Burundi’s military maintains the death toll was about 80.
Since April, when President Pierre Nkurunziza violated the Arusha Peace Accords by deciding to run for a third term, more than 300 people have been killed and over 240,000 have been forced to flee the country. In November, the Burundian government ordered the suspension of more than 10 local human rights organizations.
Burundi is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015.
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.
“Lack of Finances to facilitate the mediation process in the Burundi conflict has crippled the Uganda-led Mediation Talks” (…)”A source who preferred anonymity told NTV that the African Union, which is meant to finance the operation of the mediation team is yet to disburse money to Uganda” (…)”The African Peace Facility which was set up to support peace and security on the African Continent in the Framework of the EU-Africa Partnership is meant to finance the process. And so it appears that with this hiccup, the violence between the Opposition and Government in Bujumbura could be far from over” (NTV Uganda, 2015)

The European Investment Bank today agreed to provide EUR 110 (KSh 12 billion) million for investment by companies across East Africa under a three new partnerships launched in Nairobi earlier today. This is the largest ever support for investment by entrepreneurs and small business ever announced in East Africa by the EIB.
European Investment Bank Vice President Pim van Ballekom formally signed the three credit lined during a visit Kenya to mark the 10 year anniversary of local operations of the world’s largest international public bank and to highlight an expected increase in support for climate related projects in the region.
Under the new initiative the European Investment Bank, will back investment by micro, small and medium enterprises under three dedicated credit lines with the African Banking Corporation, NIC Bank and CRDB Bank that reflect different investment needs.
The new programme will support job creation and economic growth in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi by providing long-term local and foreign currency loans and support investment across a range of sectors, including agriculture.
“Investment by small companies and entrepreneurs is essential for economic growth and to create jobs. The European Investment Bank is pleased to strengthen our support to ensure that East African companies can unlock new business opportunities and build on previous successful engagement with leading local banks. Since the EIB’s regional office for East and Central Africa opened 10 years ago professionalism and enthusiasm of the Nairobi based team has strengthened our support for entrepreneurs and small business across the region.” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President.
“We are very happy to be partnering again with EIB and securing from them a second credit line . We first received Ksh. 770 million from EIB in 2012, which we have disbursed to our SME clients for longer term and at affordable rates. We have seen the immense potential SMEs have, and how access to affordable credit can turn around small entrepreneurs to become business leaders in their respective sectors. We are excited by this new credit line. It is a demonstration of the confidence that EIB has in ABC Bank, and it will bolster our capacity to continue lending to the SME segment to empower them to harness their market potential and contribute to the national economy. We look forward to the making of more success stories” said Shamaz Savani, ABC Bank Group Managing Director.
“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with EIB in supporting the development of SME and Midcap in various sectors of Tanzanian economy especially agriculture. SMEs in Tanzania contribute immensely to the growth of our economy and CRDB Bank has been playing a major role in the growth of local entrepreneurs especially women entrepreneurs and is keen in supporting SMEs to grow their businesses and improve their competitiveness.” said Saugata Bandyopadhyay, Deputy Managing Director Operation & Customer Service at CRDB Bank.
“As stated previously, we are accelerating our strategy to grow our Retail and SME Business. The EIB funding will support our push into the fast expanding SME sector,” said Mr. John Gachora, Group Managing Director, NIC Bank.
The three new lending programmes were formally launched in Nairobi by European Investment Bank Vice President Pim van Ballekom.
The three credit lines reflects the European Investment Bank’s broad support for private sector investment across Africa that addresses the varied investment needs of firms ranging from individual small entrepreneurs to more established companies employing hundreds of people.
The EIB agreed a new EUR 5 million credit line with ABC Bank that will support investment by companies in both Kenya and Uganda.
Companies here in Kenya will benefit from a new EUR 50 million credit line, agreed with NIC Bank Kenya.
Whilst investment in Tanzania and Burundi through a EUR 55 million loan to CRDB Bank will both support Tanzania based firms and includes EUR 3 million for companies based in Burundi. This is the EIB’s second engagement with CRDB.
Last year the European Investment Bank Group provided nearly EUR 22 billion to improve access to finance by small business around the world. In Africa nearly EUR 3 billon has been provided by the EIB for investment by small business and entrepreneurs since 2005.
Since 2005 the Nairobi presence of the European Investment Bank responsible for Central and Eastern Africa has supported more than EUR 3 billion (KSh 325 billion) of investment both across the region and elsewhere in Africa. Over the last decade the European Investment Bank has provided more than EUR 18 billion for investment across Africa.

In response to the suspension of 10local human rights organizations on November 23 by the Burundian government, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“It is ludicrous that the government of Burundi would suspend many of the last remaining entities, including APRODH, working to promote peace and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens,” said Vukasin Petrovic, director of Africa programs. “Burundi is at a severe disadvantage without an active civil society, and any remaining legitimacy is slipping away with these oppressive tactics. The government of Burundi should immediately reverse these illegal suspensions and participate in, not just commit to, peace negotiations, which have the great potential to prevent a broader widespread conflict and reverse the country’s downward trajectory.”
Background:
Last week, the government of Burundi froze the bank accounts of some of the most prominent local human rights organizations, including FORSC, FOCODE and APRODH. Since April 2015 – when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to pursue a third mandate violating the Arusha Accords – most civil society leaders have been forced into exile and all local independent radio stations have been shut down.
Burundi is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015, and is rated Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015.
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.