Overview

Following the sudden death of President Magufuli, the incoming president established a task force to improve the authorities’ response to the pandemic, marking a shift in her predecessor’s policy of Covid-19 denial. The government continued to limit the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly by implementing draconian measures targeting political dissidents and opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and media outlets. The authorities continued to pressure Burundian refugees into returning to Burundi. The government lifted a ban on pregnant girls attending regular schools.