WHO officials asked to leave country in 48hrs
Burundi has expelled the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in the country, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo and three other health experts.
The four officials were asked to leave the southern African country within 48 hours of receiving the expulsion order.
The others are Prof Tarzy Daniel, Dr. Ruhana Mirindi Bisimwa and Dr. Jean Pierre Murunda.
An unsigned letter from the foreign affairs ministry declares them as “persona non grata.”
Although Burundi Foreign Affairs Minister, Ezechiel Nibigira, did not deny or confirm the letter, a source at the ministry confirmed its authenticity.
According to the source, the ministry has not given reasons for the expulsion of the officials.
It will be recalled that Burundi government is facing criticism for organising elections amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Campaign rallies by candidates for the presidency are taking place across the nation ahead of the 20 May election and no measures to contain the virus are being observed – sparking fears of its imminent spread.
International Crisis Group said the Burundi government is working in denial, questioning the number of coronavirus cases the country has announced when the country has reported 15 cases so far including one death.
