Burundi

Lake Tanganyika seems to be on endless flooding, with people in Burundi struggling to cope with basic needs and daily routine; more and more families are displaced, diseases spread, gaps of urgent aid make the country even more vulnerable

14.103 polling stations opened in Burundi, 53 abroad for diaspora and peacekeeping missions as 6.013.498 registered voters cast ballots to elect parliament and communal councilors in legislative and local elections on 5 June

Burundi's media regulator has issued a directive requiring both public and private media to adhere to strict principles of fairness and balance in view of the upcoming elections; until 2 June all political actors must be given equal airtime and coverage

The 2025 election campaign season was officially launched on 9 May with a symbolic ceremony in Gitega, Burundi's political capital; the event marked the formal beginning of the pre-campaign period for the legislative and communal elections of June 5

Over 63.000 people have entered Burundi in one month, the country's biggest refugee crisis in decades, following the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that is forcing thousands to flee

A China-Burundi Friendship Walk organised by the Chinese Embassy and the Burundi-China Friendship Association was held in Bujumbura

Five Burundian doctors were reportedly imprisoned between 27 December and 31 January after being dismissed due to the failure of salary negotiations on charges of 'undermining internal state security'

Burundi signed agreements with the World Bank on three grants for a total USD 168,3 million that will finance a climate resilience project and two energy projects

50 postgraduate students pursuing a master's degree at the University of Burundi were awarded a scholarship by the Chinese ambassadors, calling the initiative 'a strong sign of international solidarity and a strategic investment'.

The Independent National Electoral Commission rejected all the candidatures of the only opposition political coalition 'Burundi Bwa Bose' and the main opposition party CNL

Rebel attack killed at least 20 close to the Lake Tanganyika border with DRC; it is the second attack in two weeks by the RED-Tabara rebels, who have been battling government since 2015 mainly from DRC bases and largely inactive inside Burundi since 2021