- The homes of four Burundian politicians suffered unknown grenade attacks at the weekend. Burundian police is yet to establish who might have carried out the attacks on the homes of three members of the Front for Democracy in Burundi and one member of the ruling party.
However, unconfirmed reports have linked the attacks to a looming political crisis in the country.
The four politicians singled out for grenade attacks had earlier signed an open letter presented to the Burundian leader, Pierre Nkurunziza, urging him to resume dialogue with the opposition and also constitute a government that respects the constitution and the rights of its citizens.
President Nkurunziza has been grilled for sidelining the minority parties upon reshuffling his cabinet. His party lacks strong majority in parliament and therefore forged alliance with some opposition parties.
Due to political diatribe in the country, Burundian parliament ceased to hold sessions in recent days. The looming tension in a country that has gone through years of brutal war attracted the attention of the international community. Burundian officials have been warned to be wary of sliding back into national insecurity.
The Ambassador of Tanzania, Bernard Mndolwa, who spoke on behalf of the diplomatic community in Burundi, described the parliament as absolutely necessity for the functioning of the government. In that regard, he reminded “all the leaders and politicians that they will be held responsible for the good functioning or failure of the democratic institutions.”
Political observers hailed the diplomatic community for taking such a firm standpoint on internal affairs of Burundi, describing the step as the first since the start of a political transition in the country in 2005.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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