In a bold move to tackle soaring inflation and rampant price speculations, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has given the Ministry of Trade 15 days to take decisive action or face reshuffling. The announcement was made on Friday during a public broadcast in Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital, as citizens continue to grapple with rising costs of living.
President Ndayishimiye criticized the widespread practice of price speculation, saying that only the government has the authority to set commodity prices. “This issue of individuals setting prices as they wish is unacceptable,” the president said. “We need to regulate prices. This practice must stop because it is troubling.”
He illustrated the problem with a personal anecdote, recalling how the price of meat in a locality near Bugarama fluctuated dramatically within a short period of time. “One day, I found a kilogram of meat selling for 15,000 BIF. The next day, another person returned to find the price had risen to 18,000 BIF. When they asked why, the seller blamed the rising dollar rate. How does a locally raised cow cause daily price hikes like that?” President Ndayishimiye questioned.
He acknowledged that the issue has been ongoing for some time without a solution. “We have waited long enough to see if anyone would address this. No action has been taken, and it is now time for the Ministry of Trade to step up,” he said, warning that failure to address the crisis would result in changes within the ministry
The order follows recent efforts by the government to crack down on price speculations. Earlier this month, the Inspector General of the National Police Joseph Ninteretse called on regional police commissioners to take decisive action against traders and transport operators accused of inflating prices on essential goods and services. This led to the closure of businesses in several provinces, including bars in Kayanza where high-priced BRARUDI beverages were sold.
The country’s economic difficulties, exacerbated by ongoing fuel shortages and rising inflation, have severely impacted the livelihoods of Burundians, with everyday goods becoming increasingly unaffordable. While President Ndayishimiye has claimed that the cost of living in Burundi is lower than in neighboring countries, public discontent continues to grow. This month, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi expressed concern over escalating poverty and rising prices, urging the government to take immediate action to alleviate the burden on families
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