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THREAD: 1/10 An under reported #COVID-19 story has unfolded in #Burundi. Since March, the government was telling people that the pandemic would never hit the country because it was protected by God. @hrw https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/31/burundi-any-covid-19-cover-will-put-lives-risk
2/10 Still in March and w/ elections on the horizon, the government threatened those who took preventative measures against #COVID-19. Information on quarantine centers was hidden, we found people that had been crammed in overcrowded buildings with little hygiene infrastructure.
3/10 In April journalists were blocked from accessing a COVID-19 press conference, and the ruling party was ramping up attacks on suspected and real political opponents. Gov announced the elections would continue b/c people “were blessed by God.” https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/27/burundi-campaigns-begin-amid-clampdown
4/10 Campaigning started on April 27, with tens of thousands of people gathered for rallies. WHO was kicked out of the country, elections observers are unable to travel to #Burundi. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/05/14/perfect-storm-brewing-burundi
5/10 With the deck stacked in their favor, the ruling CNDD-FDD wins handily in May. But we hear of more and more people getting sick. The minister of health and first lady are flown to Kenya for care, media reports it’s COVD-19 related. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/01/burundi-intimidation-arrests-during-elections
6/10 Doctors and nurses are threatened not to talk about the pandemic. As nurse treating people who had attended rallies said: “If the president denies the existence of the illness, how can a simple citizen admit that they’ve got it?” https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/24/burundi-fear-repression-covid-19-response
7/10 On June 8 came the shock that President Nkurunziza, responsible for years of political repression, died after suffering a cardiac arrest. Many believe it was due to Covid-19, but no official confirmation. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/11/burundi-president-nkurunziza-dead-days-after-vote
8/10 Earlier this month, the new president, @GeneralNeva announced a complete 180 turn and #COVID-19 is now an enemy. But he says people who refuse tests will be accused of witchcraft & security committees-which often include Imbonerakure members-will help enforce the response.
9/10 Newly minted ministers, the same ppl who were saying Burundi was protected by God, are now calling for ppl to avoid unnecessary ceremonies. It’s absurd that it's coming so late, but better late than never. See @iwacuinfo article: https://twitter.com/iwacuinfo/status/1280430117265833986?s=12
10/10 The president’s calls for increased testing and access to hygienic materials is positive, but it begs one simple question: how different would things be if the gov had taken this seriously from the beginning? How many lives were needlessly lost? END @hrw
