UN ‘extremely concerned’ as Burundi’s president appoints suspected rights abusers

Saraki expresses disappointment over military deployment, low voters’ turn-out.

After an unhappy season with English second tier Stoke City, Saido Berahino is set to make history with Burundi on Saturday as he captains the team known as the Swallows in War on their Africa Cup of Nations debut.

Life continues as normal in Burundi, one of a handful of countries in Africa that appear to have escaped COVID-19 so far.

The right-hand man of DR Congo's president is temporarily relieved of his duties because of a corruption trial. Vital Kamerhe denies skimming more than $50 million off public funds. Also, crowds of voters pack into rallies as candidates for Burundi's presidential election ramp up campaigning ahead of next week's vote. The poll will choose a successor to controversial incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza. And home-brewed pineapple booze is the solution of choice for South Africans desperate for a drink. A ban on alcohol sales was brought in as part of the country's coronavirus restrictions.

Burundi has expelled its country head of the World Health Organization during a presidential election campaign in which large rallies are being held.

Burundi has expelled the WHO's top official in the country, accusing the organisation of interfering with the response to Covid-19. The move comes ahead of a presidential election, which will take place on May 20. Also, Benin is gearing up for local elections on Sunday. Candidates have had to adapt to campaigning while respecting social distancing rules. Finally, in Zimbabwe, three female opposition figures have been arrested for protesting, but police deny they are in custody and their whereabouts remain unknown. Our correspondent in Harare tells us more.

In this edition, Burundi held an election to replace President Pierre Kurunziza, who has been in power for fifteen years. Controversy has overshadowed the voting process with opposition politicians saying their supporters have been subject to intimidation. Also, Zimbabwe has received medical help from China to treat coronavirus patients. We'll bring you a report from our correspondents.

Burundi's newly elected president is taking over a divided country from former strongman Pierre Nkurunziza. Can Evariste Ndayishimiye succeed where his predecessor failed?

Burundi's ruling party candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye has been declared winner of the presidential election with 68.72 percent of the vote. His main rival says he will appeal the result. Also, it's back to school for children in Ivory Coast, but many are worried that the reopening of schools will increase the spread of the coronavirus. Finally, citizens stranded in France have been able to return to Burkina Faso. The country is taking advantage of repatriation flights organised by the French government.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Wednesday.

Burundi's outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza has died at the age of 55. The government says he died of a heart attack on Monday, but as people criticise the authorities' approach to and reporting of Covid-19 cases, rumours are already circulating that Nkurunziza was himself a victim of the disease. He had been due to step down from 15 years in power following last month's election of his hand-picked successor, Evariste Ndayishimiye. At least 1,200 people were killed and around 400,000 fled unrest sparked by Nkurunziza's controversial but ultimately successful 2015 bid for a third term.

In an attempt to fill the power vacuum after Pierre Nkurunziza's death, Burundi's top constitutional court has ruled that the president-elect should take power immediately. Also, the UN and NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders support the plight of imprisoned Cameroonian journalists, pressuring Paul Biya's government after authorities revealed that journalist Samuel Wazizi had died in custody. And we get reactions from Kinshasa over whether or not a statue of Belgium's colonial-era King Leopold II should be removed, following a similar debate in Belgium itself.