Gatare Libère’s innovative software seeks to drive positive change in society Mr. Libère, 26, is the co-founder of ACLIS, a pioneering start-up leveraging technology to drive social change. He spoke to Nathan Hastings-Spaine for Africa Renewal about his start-up: Can you tell us about yourself? My name is Gatare Libère and I am the co-founder ACLIS, a pioneering tech startup in Burundi focused on driving positive social change through innovative software and mobile App development. Our team is a dynamic mix of young creatives, designers, developers and business leaders, working together to create engaging digital and impactful digital products. My tech journey began in my childhood in Bujumbura, where I loved playing around with computers whenever I could find one. This fascination with technology followed me to Kenya, where I attended high school. How did you get into tech? During my senior year, a guest speaker, who was software engineer...

Kampala — Burundi prosecutors requested a 12-year prison sentence for journalist Sandra Muhoza, who has been detained for seven months on charges of undermining the integrity of Burundi’s national territory and inciting ethnic hatred. The charges against Muhoza, a reporter for the privately owned online newspaper La Nova Burundi, are connected to messages she sent in a journalists’ WhatsApp group discussing the alleged distribution of machetes in parts of the country. A verdict in her case is expected in December 2024. “It is deeply unjust that Sandra Muhoza faces over a decade in prison for comments she made in a WhatsApp group. Unfortunately, her case is in keeping with Burundi’s history of using baseless anti-state charges to imprison journalists,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo. “Burundian authorities must unconditionally release Sandra Muhoza and desist from criminalizing the mere act of being a journalist.” Intelligence personnel arrested Muhoza on April...

The presence of refugees in Burundi’s communities has proven to be a catalyst for local development, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and collaboration. Refugees bring diverse skills, experiences, and cultural perspectives that enrich the host communities, fostering innovation and resilience. The PRODECI-TURIKUMWE Project funded by the International Development Association (IDA), leverages these strengths by supporting refugees and their host communities through developing microenterprises, improving healthcare, and helping various associations aimed at promoting sustainable development. This initiative has improved the quality of life for both refugees and residents and highlighted the significant contributions refugees can make to a country’s economic and social progress. In fact, Burundi is home to around 90,000 refugees living in five camps, with over 90% from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the remainder from Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. Upendo Cooperative’s Impact “It is wonderful to see refugees and the host community...

Different parts of Africa are experiencing mpox outbreaks with multiple virus variants (clades), according to the latest WHO Situation Report: Western, Northern, and Southern African countries have clade II MPXVCentral and Eastern African countries have clade I MPXVCameroon is unique, with both clades present in different regions As of December 1, 2024, Africa has: 13,171 confirmed mpox cases57 total deaths (a death rate of 0.4%)20 countries reporting cases Most Affected CountriesDemocratic Republic of the Congo: 9,513 cases (43 deaths)Burundi: 2,334 cases (1 death)Uganda: 785 cases (4 deaths) Interesting DevelopmentsAngola reported its first-ever mpox casesSome countries are moving from active outbreak to control phaseDifferent virus clades show unique transmission patterns Transmission PatternsSome clades spread through sexual contactOthers spread through close physical contactTransmission is evolving, with increasing spread in households and communities The situation continues to be closely monitored by health authorities, with ongoing research to understand the various mpox strains and...

The third edition of the youth, peace and security in Africa dialogue organized by the African Union has opened in Bujumbura, Burundi. The objective of the dialogue is to promote the youth peace and security agenda through advocacy and participation of young women and men across the Continent to meaningfully contribute to the implementation of the YPS Agenda in Africa. The dialogue running under the theme, ‘Empowering African Youth for Peace: Education and Enhanced Coordination as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the YPS Agenda’ is being held at the at the Kiriri Presidential Palace and President Évariste Ndayishimiye who is also the African Union champion of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda is among the participants. With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the youth are a critical force for shaping Africa’s future. However, the continent still faces challenges in peace and security,...

The Governments of the Republic of Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, met this week for the 25th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees living in the United Republic of Tanzania. Recognizing the generosity of the government and people of Tanzania in hosting Burundian refugees for decades and the Burundian government’s intensive efforts to support development in areas of return, all parties agreed to continue voluntary repatriation to Burundi in accordance with the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement of May 2001. All parties committed to enhance information-sharing on cross-border labour mobility prospects between Burundi and Tanzania, as well as procedures for accessing these for returnees. Participants noted that these movements should be undertaken in line with existing bilateral legal and administrative frameworks, and as provided for by East African Community (EAC) Protocols and policies. “The policy of...