Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has appointed Emmanuel Mbonihankuye as the new head of the Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR), according to a presidential decree made public later on Thursday.
The announcement did not provide any specific reasons for the replacement of Jean Claude Manirakiza, the former chief of OBR. Mbonihankuye’s appointment comes at a time when the country is grappling with a severe economic crisis, marked by a shortage of foreign currency and a growing reluctance from investors to invest in the nation.
The move coincides with a two-day roundtable event aimed at attracting foreign investors to help revive the struggling economy. Recently, the OBR reported a massive deficit of over BIF 1.10 billion Burundian francs over the past four months.
Audace Niyonzima, Burundi’s Finance Minister, attributed the deficit to fraudulent activities both within OBR and among certain taxpayers. Niyonzima issued a stern warning, pledging severe sanctions against anyone found guilty of embezzlement or corruption
4 Comments