Burundi

The Talitha Koum centre breaks the taboo of autism, still little known in Burundi where autistic children are often hidden, accused of being spoilt, capricious or possessed

The First Lady of Burundi, along with the National Project Coordinator, visited BGI Group's perennial rice demonstration site in Karuzi to assess the progress of rice cultivation

The African Water Fund has approved a grant of approximately €2 million to Burundi for the project "Development of Water Resources and the Ruvyironza Multifunctional Dam to Improve Water and Food Security and Enhance Access to Electricity"

African Trade and Investment Development Insurance provided political risk insurance coverage for Songa Energy's $7.7 million Ruvyironza hydropower project in Burundi

The leader of Burundi's main opposition party, the National Freedom Council, said he will return to Burundi as soon as possible because the country needs his contribution to national development

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye called for more private investment in the tourism sector to help the country achieve its vision of becoming an emerging economy in 2040

Dozens of Burundian soldiers were reportedly arrested for refusing to be deployed in eastern Congo in the fight against the M23 rebel group advancing towards a major border town

The government adopted a bill to abolish prison sentences for journalists who file ethical complaints, but recommends fines of between $350 and $523 for media workers who have violated journalistic ethics

The average size of family farms is shrinking in rural areas due to population pressure, with fertility being lost due to over-exploitation and farmers seeking new areas, leading to weakening rivers such as the Ruzizi

The IMF expects Burundi's economy to expand by 4,3% this year from 2,7% in 2023; growth would be supported by strong agricultural production, productive investment and ongoing reforms

The diplomatic dispute between Burundi and Rwanda took on a new front as Burundi closed its borders with its neighbour 'until changed'; Burundi has accused Rwanda of financing rebel attacks

Homosexual marriage is an 'abominable practice', and gay couples to be 'stoned to death' because they have 'chosen the devil' and attract the divine 'curse', said Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye

Six of the ten handball players of the Burundi team, who fled from Rijeka, Croatia on 9 August while participating in the U-19 World Cup, had to return to Croatia after Belgium, where the youngsters had sought asylum, expelled them last week