Latest news with #EvaristeNdayishimiye
Zawya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Sahel Region: African Union Appoints Special Envoy
The African Union's (AU) appointment of Burundi's president as its special envoy for the Sahel region strengthens the AU's capacity to address the most pressing human rights challenges facing Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Evariste Ndayishimiye. The appointment of Ndayishimiye on July 17, 2025, comes at a critical juncture in the Sahel, marked by increased threats to civilians caught in armed conflict, emboldened authoritarianism of the military juntas, and growing marginalization of independent institutions, including the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These dynamics have eroded the rule of law, widened impunity for serious human rights abuses, and left civilians increasingly vulnerable. 'Despite Burundi's very troubling human rights record, President Ndayishimiye has an opportunity to promote human rights and rights-based governance in the Sahel,' said Allan Ngari, Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. 'A failure to do so would signal a dangerous tolerance for authoritarianism under the guise of diplomacy.' Ndayishimiye should make respect for human rights and the rule of law prominent in the AU's approach to the Sahel and address the following major concerns: Islamist armed groups and government security forces continue to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. As of mid-2025, the armed conflicts in the Sahel had killed at least tens of thousands of civilians, resulting in one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, forcing over three million people from their homes. Since 2020, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have experienced military coups. The ruling military juntas have shown intolerance for political opposition and dissent. Civic and political space has shrunk as a crackdown on journalists, civil society activists, and opposition party members has increased, through arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and unlawful conscription. The military leaders of the three countries have solidified their power without elections, delaying the return to democratic civilian rule. The authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have ignored calls for accountability and failed to uphold their international legal obligations to investigate serious rights violations by their security forces, and hold those responsible accountable, allowing impunity to fester and emboldening the abusers. In 2025, the three countries officially left ECOWAS, depriving their citizens of the opportunity to seek justice for human rights violations through the ECOWAS Court of Justice. 'The AU special envoy should open a meaningful dialogue with the authorities of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on their governments' obligations to protect human rights,' Ngari said. 'He should ensure that the AU's strategy on the Sahel prioritizes the protection of civilians at risk, the need to respect civil and political rights, and the promotion of justice and accountability.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Chairperson appoints H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region
The Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, is pleased to announce the appointment of H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and African Union Champion for Youth, Peace and Security, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region. The Chairperson of the African Union is most grateful to H.E President Évariste Ndayishimiye for accepting this strategic political assignment in the collective interest of the Union. President Ndayishimiye will spearhead the renewed African Union's high level diplomatic support and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the prevailing security and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel. The Special Envoy's mandate covers intensifying engagements with the governmental authorities, opinion leaders, regional actors and organizations, civil society and all relevant stakeholders to foster dialogue, build consensus, and promote comprehensive strategies towards durable peace and stability within the Sahel region. President Ndayishimiye brings with him very rich political experience, and impeccable credentials of resolute commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and cooperation. The appointment reflects the African Union's steadfast commitment to supporting peacebuilding and regional cooperation in one of Africa's most critical regions. The Chairperson of the African Union has expressed full confidence in President Ndayishimiye's ability to advance the Union's vision through his distinguished leadership and deep understanding of the continent's complex dynamics. In effect, this appointment is to foster the African Union's drive to permanently silence the guns and promote peace, security, stability, and political dialogue in the Sahel region. The Chairperson of the African Union therefore calls on the AU Commission, the AU Mission in the Sahel (MISAHEL); all stakeholders and the international community to extend support to the Special Envoy, who is expected to immediately commence his engagements in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Morocco: His Majesty the King Congratulates Burundi's President on Independence Day
His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, on the occasion of his country's 63rd anniversary of independence. In this message, the Sovereign extends His warmest congratulations and best wishes to President Evariste Ndayishimiye as well as the entire Burundian people. His Majesty the King praised the strengthening momentum of close cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Burundi, reaffirming His determination to work with His Excellency to further enhance it at both the bilateral and continental levels. The Sovereign also expressed His hope that the deep bonds of friendship, solidarity, and mutual resteem between the two countries will continue to grow. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Burundi plugs Jiji hydro to power grid in growth push
Burundi this week inaugurated the Jiji hydroelectric plant in Songa zone, Bururi Province, seeking to power more households and industries. President Evariste Ndayishimiye launched the project expected to generate 32.5MW as part of a broader effort to achieve national energy self-sufficiency. With the 17MW Mulembwe plant nearing completion, officials say the two projects will have an annual production of 235 gigawatt hours of clean energy annually and will provide electricity to 15,000 households, 7,000 businesses and 1,700 industrial facilities. The construction of the two plants at a cost of $320 million is funded by the Burundi government, the African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, World Bank and the European Union. President Ndayishimiye noted Burundi's installed capacity had increased from 47.5MW in 2020 to over 118MW in 2025.'Jiji hydroelectric plant will produce more power in addition to the solar energy generated from Vugizo, Buhiga and Mubuga sites built, thanks to the close collaboration with the government of Burundi and development partners. This is an opportunity for investors in the sector of energy,' he said.'The fact that the Jiji and Mulembwe dam project is a renewable energy project, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, is particularly significant,' said Edward Claessen, head of the European Investment Bank in East Africa in a statement. 'Our financing for this project formed part of the European Union's strategy to develop clean, sustainable infrastructure in Africa and is also aligned with decarbonisation efforts needed by companies to grow.' We are proud to have supported this project in close collaboration with the government of Burundi and other partners.'Hawa Cissé Wague, World Bank representative in Burundi, said Jiji was going to be a transformational project with strong social and economic impact.'It will improve access to electricity for the population, support industrialisation, job creation and economic growth,' Wague said. Construction of the Jiji and Mulembwe dams, located in the south of the country, began in December 2019 and was initially planned to be completed within 42 months. However, fuel shortages, which have affected the country in recent years, and landslides during the rainy seasons, which made access to the work sites difficult, delayed completion. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Ibrahim Uwizeye, further blamed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Covid-19 pandemic for the delays, citing supply chain disruption and fluctuating prices, which pushed the cost of construction from $270 million to $320 million. Consequently, on January 10, 2024, the World Bank's concessional International Development Association (IDA) fund gave $50 million to Gitega to complete the hydroelectric plants in line with the country's long-term vision for reliable, affordable and clean energy. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Morocco World
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Burundi's President Ndayishimiye Wins 100% of Seats in National Vote
Rabat – President Evariste Ndayishimiye's CNDD-FDD party has secured 100% of the seats in the vote for the national legislative assembly. The election results were announced on Wednesday, June 11, by the electoral commission. This vote has been termed by opposition parties as the 'death' of Burundian democracy. The ruling party has won the election, despite the country currently being in an economic crisis with chronic shortages and rising inflation. This is despite the electoral commission stating that no fraud was uncovered, and the President's party winning 100% of the vote in many electoral districts. This election has been seen as the end of democracy in this African nation. Ndayishimiye has been the president of the African state since 2020, following the death of Pierre Nkurunziza, who served as the ninth president of Burundi for almost 15 years from August 2005 until his death in June 2020 Observers have criticized Ndayishimiye consistently for human rights abuses. Burundians went to the polls to vote for the new National Assembly on 5 June. The number of seats in the National Assembly is around 103. Many observers criticized the election for the tightly controlled element of the government, and the opposition has been constrained. Some opposition parties were banned from participation, such as the main opposition party, the National Council for Liberty. Many people in the country felt forced to vote during the election, and several journalists and voters had said that they were in fear for their safety. This is in comparison to the statement given by the president, saying that 'democracy is rooted in Burundi.' On Wednesday, June 11, the electoral commission announced the provisional election results, and unsurprisingly, the CNDD-FDD party won with 96.51%. No other opposition party was able to reach the two percent electoral threshold to gain seats in the National Assembly; therefore, the CNDD-FDD has won 100% of the seats. The final result will be certified at the constitutional court on June 20. International observers and opposition parties have expressed disbelief and anger, rejecting the election result. The leader of the Council of Patriots party stated that 'major fraud had been seen everywhere.' Olivier Nkurunziza, the leader of Uprona, said that the elections were 'rigged' and had 'killed democracy.' Tags: BurundiBurundi elections
