Africa – 16 September 2015

Survey finds that democracy is far from universal in Africa
Barely half of citizens in 28 African countries surveyed by Afrobarometer consider their country a “full democracy” or a “democracy with minor problems,” and less than half are satisfied with how their democracy is working, according to the research network.
In observance of International Day of Democracy on 15 September, Afrobarometer released a new analysis indicating that the extent to which African countries put democratic ideals into practice varies widely across countries.
eNCA

Burundi opposition wants stay-put president sanctioned
Burundi’s main opposition group called on Tuesday for international and “targeted” sanctions to be slapped on President Pierre Nkurunziza over his refusal to leave office.
A statement from CNARED, a coalition of opposition parties, accused the president of having plunged the central African nation into a “climate of terror” in order to secure his controversial third consecutive term in office.
News24

UN Investigator Warns of Mass Atrocities in Burundi
A U.N. special investigator warns Burundi could slip back into open warfare unless the international community takes urgent preventive action.

Pablo de Greiff, a U.N. special investigator on mass violations, said much has happened since he visited Burundi in December — and none of it good. He said Burundi has turned away from the peaceful path it had followed since the 2000 Arusha agreement that ended the country’s civil war.
Voice of America

Lesotho Deputy PM takes stand at SADC Inquiry
Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing has started to testify before the SADC Commission of Inquiry in Maseru.
He says he has faced allegations of planning to bribe the commission and to assassinate an archbishop.
SABC News

Kamoli zips lips at Lesotho inquiry
The much awaited Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Commission of Inquiry into Lesotho’s crisis is finally underway, though the man at the centre of the tiny Kingdom’s turmoil, army commander Tlali Kamoli, is refusing to answer key questions in public.
The public inquiry headed by Botswana High Court judge Mpaphi Phumaphi began more than a month late as the political parties in Lesotho haggled over its terms of reference. The commission includes military and legal experts from other Southern African countries.
IOL