Hi everyone - Hope you are doing well in your isolated corners.
Here is your latest roundup.
Top Story
Burundi is having a consequential presidential election amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Political parties are out campaigning and often times it’s done with disregard to social distancing initiatives recommend by global public health officials. Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb reported from one of the ruling party’s rallies, which was attended by President Pierre Nkurunziza, here.
Despite the country’s lack of care for virus safety measures, May’s election is an important one for the east african nation.
It comes five years after President Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term, which was viewed by Burundians as a violation of the constitution, led to political unrest and violence throughout the country. Clashes between Anti-Nkurunziza protestors and the government led to a crackdown on opposition parties, the media, and triggered a failed coup by military forces.
The economic and human rights situation in the country continued to deteriorate as the ruling party banned international media outlets from broadcasting in the nation. Then in 2017, Burundi became the first county in the world to leave the International Criminal Court.
President Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, is backing the ruling party’s Secretary General, Evariste Ndayishimiye, as his successor.
Five other candidates have launched their campaigns for the seat, but analysts expect Ndayishimiye to emerge as the victor amid the ruling party’s suppression of opposition parties.
For more on human rights in the county, check out this backgrounder from Human Rights Watch.
Covid-19 Developments
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo lifted the lockdown in two of the country’s largest cities, Accra and Kumasi. Akufo-Addo said the nation had improved its testing capabilities for the coronavirus, and citied the disproportionate impact of the lockdown was having on vulnerable populations for his decision to reopen certain markets.
Ghana’s neighbor, Nigeria, also started easing lockdown measures in certain cities. This is happening despite a rise in confirmed coronavirus cases, Yomi Kazeem reports for Quartz.
In Kenya, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko sent virus care packages that includes an unexpected item: Hennessy. Sonko called the liquor a “throat sanitizer” despite the World Health Organization’s warning that alcohol can make people more vulnerable to catching the virus.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s longtime President Yoweri Museveni released his version of a home workout video to encourage Ugandans to exercise inside their house amid the virus outbreak. Those sweatpants are just fabulous!
Recommended read:
In the Christian Science Monitor, John Okot tells the story of Evelyn Amony, one of Joseph Kony’s teen wives who birthed an organization that helps victims of the LRA heal their trauma.
Song of the month:
“Wushetam” by Zeritu ft. Joss Stone (Ethiopia)
Have a blessed month!