Burundi’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council has shut down hope, once again, that the country would cooperate with the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur, who is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the country’s human rights situation. Burundi accuses the Council of politicized interference in its internal affairs.

On June 29, after an update given by the Special Rapporteur, some states raised concerns about the “targeting of political opposition figures.” They also called for the authorities to “thoroughly investigate and prosecute cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture, and other human rights violations and abuses.” But at the same time, many praised the government’s efforts, supposed progress achieved, and the questionable work of its national human rights commission, which lacks independence.

From where we stand, it’s unclear what efforts the government is truly making to tackle systemic human rights violations in Burundi. Since President Évariste Ndayishimiye came to power two years ago, our reports have highlighted the same patterns of abuses that took place under the 15-year rule of Pierre Nkurunziza, his predecessor.

We have seen limited positive steps under Ndayishimiye. Burundi’s authorities did lift some suspensions of media and civil society and release several jailed human rights defenders and journalists. But much more is needed if the government is serious about its stated desire to implement reforms and improve its image.

Meanwhile, lawyer and former human rights defender Tony Germain Nkina, who was arrested in October 2020, remains unjustly imprisoned. Despite no credible evidence presented by the prosecution, he was convicted of collaborating with a Burundian rebel group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is accused of attacks in Burundi.

The government’s repression remains entrenched, and our latest report documented yet more killings, disappearances, arbitrary detention, and torture of suspected government opponents. The judiciary is not independent. One egregious case involved eight Burundians who were detained incommunicado and tortured in Tanzania. When Tanzania forcibly returned the refugees, Burundi’s authorities put them on trial for participation in armed groups. Despite a Burundian judge saying the case was political, and the court acquitting them of all charges in August 2021, then again on appeal in March 2022, six of them remain jailed.

It’s time for Burundian authorities to turn promises into action. Giving access to the Special Rapporteur, releasing all those unjustly jailed, and arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of human rights violations would demonstrate its commitment to do so. - Human Rights Watch

Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto has admitted to almost slapping his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, when Uhuru, as Ruto alleges, almost gave up on the 2017 presidential re-run.

Ruto was responding to a leaked audio where he is heard saying that he came close to slapping Uhuru in 2017 after the nullification of the election by the Supreme court following a petition filed by then NASA leader Raila Odinga and civil society groups.

In the recording, Ruto, who was speaking to a group of Kikuyu elders at his Karen residence on Friday, is heard saying that Uhuru almost gave up on the presidency and was ready to go back home in Ichaweri, Gatundu South, prompting his anger. 

But the Deputy President, while defending his remarks during a rally today at Central Imenti, Meru County, says he was only being a good and loyal friend. The deputy president and the president have been at loggerheads, exchanging brickbats sometimes without mentioning names.

"Hio vitu mnazungusha kwa maredio ati William Ruto aliskuma Uhuru Kenyata namna gani. Kwani mlikua mnataka Uhuru Kenyatta awache kiti tulikua tumeamkia saa kumi na moja awe Rais tuwaachie watu wa kuzimia?

"Ati mnarecord Ruto alimskuma President Uhuru sijui namna gani, kwani mlitaka President Uhuru awache kiti ambayo sisi tuliamka saa kumi asubuhi kumchagua ili awe Rais? Awache kiti tulikuwa tumemtafutia, awachie mtu wa kitendawili? Atakama nilimlazimisha awe Rais, iko makosa?"

His statement can be loosely translated to; "What should I have done? Let Uhuru concede defeat yet Kenyans had woken up at 5pm to vote for him? You wanted him to give up and let Raila Odinga be sworn into the presidency? Was I wrong to force him into the presidency?" he posed. 

The Deputy President further said that he had traversed the country to campaign for the president and would not allow Odinga to easily grab the presidency.

"I was Kenyatta's biggest campaigner as I would wake up early and conduct three meetings before the president showed up. I helped him because he is my friend," Ruto added.

The Deputy President was responding after the Azimio la Umoja faction accused him of disrespecting the president in the remarks now gone viral on social media.

“Hayo maneno umesikia hapa deputy president akizungumza ni aibu kubwa sana… (It is an embarrassment for the Deputy President to utter such remarks),” Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.

“Anataka kupiga rais wa Kenya kofi jameni na akipewa majeshi na polisi atafanya nini… (If he can think of slapping the president, what would he do if he won the presidential election and became the chief of the armed forces)?" Suna East MP Junet Mohammed probed. By Stephanie Wangari, The Standard