mchambawima1
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 16, 2014
- 2,487
- 738
- December 31-January 3: Clahses occur between unidentified rebels on one side and the Army, Police, and Imbonerakure in Cibitoke. Though some rebels may have been killed in battle, many others surrendered and were executed. At least 47 rebels died.
- January 1: The United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundibegins its work.
- January 6: Five men in army fatigues kill three CNDD-FDD supporters in a bar in Gisuru.
- January 12: Burundi’s government boycotts the launch of the UN’s Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi.
- January 15: Former Vice President and deputy leader of FRODEBU Frederic Bamvuginyumvira is sentenced to five years in prison for bribery and FRODEBU youth leader Patrick Nkurunziza is arrested on suspicion of having a connection to Cibitoke rebels.
- January 20: Popular radio host Bob Rugurika is arrested under suspicion of murdering three Italian nuns.
- January 20: Around 150 civil society activists protest Rugurika’s detentionin Bujumbura.
- January 25: The EU sets aside 8 million euro for supporting the Burundian elections.
- January 29: EU Ambassador to Burundi Patrick Spirlet calls for Bob Rugurika to be freed.
- January 30: Burundi’s government states it is ready to compromise with the opposition to ensure peaceful elections.
- February 1: Burundi’s Catholic Church calls for the release of Bob Rugurika.
- February 3: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif visits Bujumbura andstates that Iran is ready to work in conjunction with Burundian authorities to fight terrorism.
- February 3: A statement in the UK Parliament expresses concern about the incarceration of Bob Rugurika, and 32 MP’s sign on.
- February 4: Criminal charges against Bob Rugurika are confirmed by a Bujumbura court.
- February 5: The US State Department issues a statement expression concern regarding the extrajudicial killings in Cibitoke and the imprisonment of Rugurika.
- February 6: A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights gives a statement condemning the continuing imprisonment of Rugurika. A spokesperson for the UNSG made a similar statement.
- February 10: Protesters in Bujumbura demand the release of Rugurika.
- February 11: The European Parliament issues a statement critical of the detention of Rugurika.
- February 12: The civil society group “Campagne citoyenne, Non à un troisième mandate” sends a letter to Nkurunziza asking him not to run for a third term.
- February 18: The President of the UNSC releases a lengthy statement on Burundi, touching on many topics, but particularly the need for free and fair elections and condemning the Cibitoke killings.
- February 19: Bob Rugurika is released from prison, and massive celebrations erupt in Bujumbura.
- February 19: President Nkurunziza fires his Intelligence Chief, Major General Godefroid Niyombare following a leaked memo from Niyombare stating his opposition to a third term.
- February 24: President Nkurunziza nominates General Etienne Ntakarutimana to be the next Intelligence Chief.
- February 25: A spokesperson for the Office of the President confirms Nkurunziza would seek a third term if nominated by the CNDD-FDD.
- February 26: Activists behind the “Stop the 3rd Term” campaign hold a press conference urging protests against a third term for President Nkurunziza.
- February 28: Protests against a third term for Nkurunziza take place in Bujumbura.
- March 1: Hussein Radjabu, the former head of the CNDD-FDD, escapes from prison with the help of guards and flees the country.
- February 28: The wife of General Godefroid Niyombare is the target of an assassination attempt.
- March 2: UPRONA nominates Gerard Nduwayo as its presidential candidate.
- March 5: Burundi’s national assembly pass a law expanding press freedom.
- March 5: A general strike, organized by around 1,500 civil society organizations, takes place in response to high mobile phone and fuel prices.
- March 6: EU delegate in Burundi Patrick Spirlet says President Nkurunziza should carefully consider whether or not to run for a third term.
- March 7: The Catholic Church in Burundi says Nkurunziza should not run for a third term.
- March 9: Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs,says the organization does not yet have a position on a third term for Nkurunziza.
- March 10: The AU positively responds to Burundi’s request to aid the investigation into corpses found in Lake Rweru.
- March 11: The Elders release a statement calling for calm and free and fair elections.
- March 11: The National Rally for Change and the Alliance of Democrats for Change called on the UN to prevent President Nkurunziza from seeking a third term.
- March 15: The wife of Agathon Rwasa (the leader of the FNL), Annonciate Haberisoni, is shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt in Bujumbura.
- March 17: A severe fuel shortage grips Bujumbura.
- March 18: At a meeting of the East African Legislative Assembly in Bujumbura, Nkurunziza promises free and peaceful elections.
- March 20: Tanzanian President Kikwete says Nkurunziza should not seek a third term and doing so would risk regional tensions.
- March 23: A letter signed initially by 17 prominent CNDD-FDD members is sent to Nkurunziza asking him not to run for a third term. The number of signatories later reached over 75.
- March 24: The chairman of the CNDD-FDD suspends spokesperson Onesime Nduwimana following his signing of the anti-third term letter.
- March 27: AU Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma urges Burundi to respect the Arusha Agreement on a visit to the country.
- April 2: An anti-3rd term protest happens in downtown Bujumbura.
- April 2: The President of the National Assembly Pie Ntavyohanyuma is banned from international travel after opposing Nkurunziza’s third term.
- April 3: 500 Burundians flee to Rwanda citing harassment and threats of violence by the Imbonerakure.
- April 4: A delegation of Burundian ministers meet with Burundian refugeesin Rwanda.
