Pierre Nkurunziza has been President of Burundi since 2005.
Burundi has announced it has banned the human rights organization “Ligue Iteka” from operating in the country.
Officials of Burundi have accused the group of perpetuating hatred and division among citizens as well as deviating from it’s missions.
“Ligue Iteka” is the oldest rights organization in Burundi.The chairman of Ligue Iteka, Anshaire Nikoyagize, is quoted by Africanews.com to have said the activities of the organization will not be affected in any way by the ban.
Nikoyagize said “This suspension will not in any way hamper the attainment of the association’s goals. We will keep informing the national and international community even if the threats against us continue to increase”.
So far Burundi’s government has banned six human rights groups within three months. The five other groups suspended are:
- Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society (FORSC),
- The Forum for Awareness and Development (FOCODE),
- Christian Action for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT),
- Association for Protection of the Human Rights and Detained persons (APRODH)
- Network of Honest Citizens (RCP).
These human rights groups have on several occasions criticized the human rights violations taking place in Burundi.
Source: Africafeeds.com