The village, situated in the Middle Shabelle region, is of strategic importance as it lies along the corridor between Mogadishu and Jowhar.

It had served as a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as well as a key defensive position for the Somali National Army (SNA) to prevent militant advances toward the capital and the state capital of Hirshabelle.

Local residents said heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters entered the village Monday afternoon, hours after Burundian troops under AUSSOM withdrew due to rising floodwaters.

In a statement, AUSSOM confirmed the evacuation:

“Burundian troops stationed at Xawaadley Forward Operating Base, northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, have been safely evacuated due to heavy flooding in the area.”

The mission further disclosed that one of the helicopters involved in the evacuation experienced a technical malfunction but was able to land safely without incident.

“All troops and crew have been successfully evacuated to the nearest military base, and no casualties have been reported,” the statement added.

Kareem Adebayo, the Acting Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia said the Burundian soldiers were swiftly evaluated.

“We commend the swift action of the AUSSOM Burundian troops during the delicate operation and reaffirm our continued support to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in mitigating the effects of the flooding.”

Following the troop withdrawal, Al-Shabaab militants reportedly took control of both the AU and Somali military installations in Xawaadley.

The takeover has caused panic in nearby Jowhar town — the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State — with sources telling Kaab TV that Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein has recently vacated the presidential palace in Jowhar due to security concerns and is currently in Mogadishu.

With Jowhar located just 90 kilometers from the capital, the fall of Xawaadley raises alarm over the potential disruption of civilian and commercial movement along the vital Mogadishu–Jowhar route.

Residents report that Al-Shabaab fighters have already begun setting up roadblocks and patrolling surrounding rural areas.

The post Al-Shabaab Captures Strategic Village Near Mogadishu After AU Troop Withdrawal Amid Flooding appeared first on Kaab TV.

The Burundian forces, part of the African Union Mission (AU mission), were based in Garsaale — a strategically important area for the protection of Jowhar’s airport.

Their unexpected withdrawal has reportedly taken local authorities by surprise.

Officials from Hirshabelle’s Ministry of Security told Kaab TV that they were not informed in advance about the Burundian troops’ departure.

These forces also vacated another post near the city that was vital to maintaining general security in Jowhar.

Burundi had earlier announced plans to pull its troops from Somalia, citing dissatisfaction with how troop quotas for the new AUSSOM (African Union Support Mission in Somalia) 2025 operation were allocated — an initiative that has yet to receive funding.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab militants have recently intensified their activities in parts of Middle Shabelle, seizing areas like Masaajid Cali Guduud, Al-Kowthar, and Aadan Yabaal.

The group has also disrupted transport routes between Jowhar and Mogadishu, entering Balcad district — just 30 km from Mogadishu — in late March.

The troop withdrawal has alarmed residents of Jowhar, who fear for their safety now that key defensive positions around the city are unguarded.

Jowhar serves as the administrative capital of the Hirshabelle State.

So far, Hirshabelle authorities have not announced any plan to secure the vacated positions formerly held by the Burundian forces.

The post Burundian Troops Withdraw from Key Jowhar Outposts, Raising Security Fears appeared first on Kaab TV.

“Imprisoned Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye’s worsening health is alarming, and authorities have demonstrated negligence in their failure to ensure that she receives adequate medical care,” said CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities are responsible for her well-being and should ensure that she receives appropriate treatment. Even more importantly, Irangabiye does not belong behind bars and should be released unconditionally.”

On the night of Monday, July 24, Irangabiye suffered severe breathing difficulties and chest pains, symptoms that persisted as of late Tuesday and made it difficult for her to speak, according to news reports and a person familiar with her case who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation.

Irangabiye, who has been detained since August 2022, has suffered from asthma since childhood, but her condition has worsened over the last three months, that person said, adding that, despite seeing a doctor at least four times during that period and being prescribed the use of inhalers, Irangabiye remains ill.

The person familiar with her case said Irangabiye is exposed to smoke from a nearby prison kitchen and that the humid weather had possibly contributed to her health issues. Two months ago, Irangabiye’s family formally requested that authorities transfer her from the northern Muyinga Prison to a prison in the capital city of Bujumbura due to those health concerns.

Irangabiye is serving a 10-year prison term following her January 2023 conviction of undermining the integrity of Burundi’s national integrity, charges that stem from her work with the online news outlet Radio Igicaniro.

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The grid-connected 7.5MW solar power plant, located in Mubuga, became operational in 2021. It has since then provided more than 10% of Burundi’s electricity.

During the official inauguration, President Évariste Ndayishimiye pledged, with support of development partners, to double the generating capacity at the plant.

“We celebrate economic and climate progress in Burundi, which is open to direct foreign investment to catalyse economic growth for our people,” President Ndayishimiye said in a statement released by Gigawatt Global, the renewable energy company that developed the field. “Thanks to this solar field, and my agreement to double the size of it, we have increased energy security that can reliably run agro-businesses.”

Burundi ranks poorly as one of the least electrified countries in the world, with only about 11% of the country’s 11 million people (or roughly 1.2 million people) having access to electricity.

The country’s electricity supply comes largely from hydropower, but the energy gap has forced many to rely on costly and polluting diesel fuel. Thanks to the project in Mubuga, the electricity generated by the solar field has been able to replace significant power coming from diesel, expanding output to new users.

Partnering for clean energy development

Developing and building Burundi’s first solar plant took a six-year process led by Gigawatt Global, a multinational green energy developer and independent power producer for Africa.

Gigawatt broke ground on the Solar field in 2017, but full construction began in January 2020. Commercial operations took off in October 2021.

But before the project came online, it received financial support through a grant from the Energy and Environment Partnership (a joint Finland, UK and Austria fund) and the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, to cover the studies relevant to constructing the field. The field also got support of the African-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Program, engaging in the project with due diligence.

Financing for the construction of the project was provided via a consortium including pan-African private equity investor Inspired Evolution via its Evolution II Fund, the UK government-funded Renewable Energy Performance Platform, and Gigawatt Global. The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has been leading in the area of Political Risk Insurance and refinancing of construction debt.

The project, Burundi’s first grid-connected solar development by an independent power producer, is expected to pave the way for further foreign investment into the country’s renewable energy sector.

“This project demonstrates how the world community can realize shared development goals by utilizing international financing facilities best suited for frontier and emerging markets,” Gigawatt Global Burundi SA Managing Director Michael Fichtenberg said.

Moving forward with ‘Energy Hub’

Gigawatt Global says a small business and community center powered by solar energy, providing access to productive use of electricity locally, is also moving forward.

This ‘Energy Hub’ for which land and funding are being secured, will promote community development through women and youth empowerment programmes, along with various educational components developed in conjunction with local and international NGOs.

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The former prime minister, Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni and his right-hand man Désiré Uwamahoro were arrested recently in Bujumbura, the country’s capital.

“This is an opportunity for the Burundian authorities to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations. Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, in his previous role as minister of public security, had oversight responsibility for the police, who violently repressed real and perceived political opponents.  Amnesty International has documented the involvement of Désiré Uwamahoro, who held several senior positions in the police, in such violations,” Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Flavia Mwangovya said.

Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni’s homes in the economic capital Bujumbura, and in Rutana in south-eastern Burundi, were searched on 17 April.

The Burundi Minister of Interior said on 19 April that Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni’s whereabouts were unknown, but confirmed that Désiré Uwamahoro had been arrested on 18 April and was being interrogated. Amnesty International has previously documented and reported on human rights violations committed both by the police falling under Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni’s oversight as minister, and by Désiré Uwamahoro, who has held several senior positions in the police.

“The Burundian authorities should investigate all allegations of their involvement in serious human rights violations and crimes under international law, and  if there is sufficient admissible evidence, bring anyone suspected of being responsible to justice in fair trials. Authorities must also provide victims with access to justice and effective remedies,” Mwangovya added.

Reports began to circulate on Friday 21 April that Bunyoni had been arrested in Bujumbura Rural. On 22 April, the National Human Rights Commission tweeted that they had visited Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni in detention, and that he had not been tortured or subjected to any other abuses, and that his family had been informed. They did not specify where he was being detained, or on what grounds.

According to a statement issued by the Prosecutor General of the Republic on 23 April, he had been arrested on 21 April at Nyamuzi in Bujumbura Rural province, without mentioning what he was accused of.

On 24 April, the spokesperson for the Supreme Court confirmed during a press conference that he was being held by the Service National de Renseignements (SNR, National Intelligence Service) and that he was accused of threatening national security, the good functioning of the national economy, and illegally receiving interest. She also confirmed that his family did not yet have the right to visit him but that this restriction would soon be lifted. It is not known whether he has access to a lawyer.

His wife and four of their children were reportedly not allowed to leave their house from 17 April until 22 April. His daughter, who is outside the country, tweeted that she was unable to contact them throughout that time.

Plotting a coup 

Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni served as prime minister under President Ndayishimiye from June 2020 until September 2022, when he was dismissed after the president accused unnamed people of plotting a coup against him. The 51-year-old had previously held the position of minister of public security from August 2015 to June 2020, as well as from 2007 to 2011, and was one of a core group of leaders who dominate the ruling party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Forces pour la défense de la démocratie, CNDD-FDD).

In its 2017 decision to open an inquiry into the situation in Burundi, the International Criminal Court cited the reported information that the basement of Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni’s residence in Bujumbura was used as an unofficial place of detention.

He was under on a US sanctions list from 2015 to November 2021, when the programme came to an end. In December 2022, the US placed him under travel restrictions “for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights”.

The post ​​​Amnesty: Arrest of former Burundian prime minister an opportunity for accountability appeared first on Kaab TV.

The support will enable the country to procure fertilizer for the first phase of the season, which begins in May.

The country’s needs for the entire season are estimated at 145,000 tons.

Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Audace Niyonzima requested this support on behalf of President Évariste Nadyishimiye during a meeting with the African Development Bank head in Abidjan on 7 April 2023.

Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said the Bank will use two existing projects from its current portfolio in Burundi to help meet the immediate needs of the first phase. The African Fertilizer Development Financing Mechanism, a special fund managed by the African Development Bank, also represents an opportunity that will be explored for subsequent phases, Adesina said.

The Bank will also support Burundi’s efforts to explore fertilizer procurement opportunities with other international agencies such as the World Food Programme.

Adesina encouraged the Burundian government to pursue reforms in the fertilizer sector. He suggested the establishment of an electronic wallet (e-wallet) for greater transparency in the process of distributing fertilizer to beneficiaries.

The meeting focused on concrete concerns and was a continuation of discussions between Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and Dr. Adesina at the last Dakar 2 summit on food sovereignty and resilience in January 2023.

President Adesina reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to support the government in its efforts to mobilize resources for Burundi’s Food and Agriculture Delivery Compact —concluded at the Dakar 2 Summit—which amounts to $200 million over five years. Discussions to fund the compact are underway with other key partners, including the Netherlands, the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

To this end, the Bank has mobilised about $1.3 million to finance technical studies for the establishment of agro-processing zones and irrigated areas in Karusi and Cibitoke.

The Burundian minister also requested participation in the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa or AFAWA initiative, for youth and women in his country.

In response to this request, the Bank Group has committed to strengthening the liquidity of Burundi’s Youth Investment Bank (YIB) and its Women’s Development and Investment Bank (WDIB) to the tune of about $5.3 million. Adesina explained that the Bank is moving towards the establishment of youth investment banks across the continent.

During the meeting the parties also discussed regional integration. Adesina said the Bank plans to invest about $100 million in the construction of the Uvinza-Musongati-Gitega section of the Tanzania-Burundi-Democratic Republic of Congo railway, between Tanzania and Burundi. The project will be presented to the Board of Directors in September 2023.

Adesina assured the Burundian government of the Bank’s support to other partners to mobilize the remaining funds for the construction of the Tanzania-Burundi railway section which requires $1.4 billion of which about $645.76 million is being mobilized.

Niyonzima, who is also the Bank Group Governor for Burundi, was accompanied by Sanctus Niragira, Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock.

The visit to the headquarters of the pan-African development institution highlights the Bank’s ongoing relationship with its member countries and its role as the premier multilateral development finance institution in Africa. Included among the senior Bank team who met the delegation were Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development Beth Dunford; Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agribusiness; Abdul Camara, Deputy Director General for East Africa and Pascal Yembeline, Country Manager for Burundi.

The Bank’s active portfolio in Burundi comprises 19 operations with commitments of $372 million, mainly concentrated in energy (45%), transport (34%), agriculture (12%) and social (8%) sectors.

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