Politics

Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye recently made a cabinet reshuffle, appointed new government including Arthémon Katihabwa the country's minister of justice and Human Rights. He spoke to Burundi Times about his life, journey and vision to serve justice in Burundi. Q: Minister, could you start by introducing yourself to our readers?I am Katihabwa Arthemon,...

Armed groups fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have carried out horrific abuses against civilians, including gang rapes, abductions and summary executions, Amnesty International said Wednesday in a new report that warns the atrocities may amount to war crimes. The London-based rights group said both the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) and...

Bujumbura, Burundi — Burundi’s president Evariste Ndayishimiye, recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Al Mansour Holding Group in Bujumbura. The delegation, led by His Highness Prince Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, arrived to convey Qatar’s continued commitment to investing in Burundi, a country increasingly seen with economic opportunities. The Al Mansour...

NAIROBI, Kenya — East and Southern African leaders have endorsed a plan to merge regional mediation efforts under the African Union while pledging to align them with recent global peace initiatives, in a push to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Meeting virtually on Aug. 13, the Joint Extraordinary Summit...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin began a five-day visit to Burundi on Tuesday, August 12, where he was received by Vice President Prosper Bazombanza. Speaking to reporters at the airport, Parolin said he brought a message similar to that of Pope John Paul II during his visit to the...

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on an armed group and several companies accused of fueling violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through the illicit trade of critical minerals. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the measures target the Coalition des Patriotes Résistants Congolais–Force de Frappe...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — President Évariste Ndayishimiye on Tuesday announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle, appointing a new prime minister and overhauling several key ministries. Nestor Ntahontuye has been named the new Prime Minister, replacing Gervais Ndirakobuca, who had served in the role since 2022. Ndirakobuca was recently elected senator and has since assumed the position...

WASHINGTON / NAIROBI (Aug. 1, 2025) — Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have taken a critical step toward implementing their June peace agreement, holding the inaugural Joint Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., on July 31. The United States, along with the African Union and the State of Qatar, observed the session, which...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s National Assembly on Thursday re-elected Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe as its president for the 2025–2030 legislative term in a plenary session aimed at forming the Bureau of the Assembly. Ndabirabe, the sole candidate, received 109 of 111 votes, or 98.1 percent. One lawmaker abstained and one ballot was declared invalid.

BUJUMBURA, July 27, 2025 — Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD‑FDD), has won all contested Senate seats in the official indirect elections held on July 23, 2025, solidifying its political dominance across all five provinces. The results are now pending validation by the Constitutional Court.