Politics

June 22, 2025, Washington — The United States launched precision airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan—marking a significant escalation as it formally joined Israel’s campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, officials announced. U.S. President Donald Trump said the strikes were “completely and fully obliterated,” citing successful use of stealth bombers...

Gitega — Senate leaders from Burundi and Rwanda met in Gitega on June 20 in a bid to ease tensions that have strained the two nations since 2015. Burundi’s Senate President Emmanuel Sinzohagera hosted Rwanda’s Senate President François‑Xavier Kalinda, accompanied by Rwanda’s Vice Presidents Soline Nyirahabimana and Dr. Mukabaramba Alvera. The focus: strengthening bilateral ties through parliamentary...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, secured all 100 elective seats in the country’s National Assembly following last week’s legislative elections, the electoral commission announced Tuesday. But the Catholic Church and some opposition voices have raised concerns over the fairness of the vote. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said the party received...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (Burundi Times) — Nearly six million Burundians went to the polls on Thursday, June 5, to elect 100 lawmakers and 1,050 district councilors across the East African nation, amid largely calm conditions. However, opposition party CNL (National Congress for Liberty) has raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Polling...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation restricting travel from several countries, including Burundi, citing national security concerns, the White House announced Wednesday. The proclamation imposes full travel bans on nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Citizens...

June 3, 2025 | Arusha, Tanzania The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) reconvened virtually on Tuesday, reversing its April 29 decision to halt budgetary proceedings due to financial constraints. This move comes as the East African Community (EAC) grapples with significant funding shortfalls stemming from delayed and incomplete contributions by member states.

ENTEBBE, Uganda— Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye on Tuesday officially handed over the rotating presidency of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the region to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The handover occurred during the 12th summit of the oversight mechanism at...

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (May 24, 2025) The 19th Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) concluded Saturday in Dar es Salaam with renewed calls for unity and integration. However, the gathering also highlighted significant financial challenges, particularly affecting the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which has managed only one plenary session...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s media regulator has issued a directive requiring both public and private media to adhere to strict principles of fairness, balance, and equal access during the campaign for the country’s upcoming legislative and communal elections — a move that comes with a warning to journalists and raises fresh questions about press freedom.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Youth and women traders across East Africa are urging governments in the region to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that hinder their participation in agri-food trade, citing high costs, duplicative certification processes, and inconsistent standards as major obstacles. Speaking at the opening of the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations Forum on Non-Tariff...