The local civil society organization PARCEM has urged the Burundian government to implement strategies to manage the ongoing fuel crisis and foreign currency shortage, which continue to disrupt daily life and economic stability in the country.
In a statement issued on social media earlier on Friday, PARCEM’s chairperson Faustin Ndikumana stressed the urgency of addressing the dwindling foreign reserves. “A special strategy is needed to tackle the foreign currency shortage. When a crisis like this arises, the government must implement measures to prevent further deterioration. Many African countries struggle with trade imbalances, yet they do not face challenges as severe as ours. Mobilizing financial resources is key to addressing this issue, ensuring that the crisis does not escalate further,” Ndikumana said.
He also emphasized the need for clear communication and guidance from the government regarding fuel shortages. He criticized the lack of direction, which has led to arbitrary arrests of citizens trying to cope with the crisis. “People are finding ways to manage, but the administration and police are imprisoning some of them. There is no clear guidance, yet fuel is essential for the movement of goods and people. The Ministry of energy should provide a framework to ensure at least a minimum supply that allows the country to function,” he added.
Burundi is grappling with a deepening economic crisis, marked by a severe shortage of foreign currency, skyrocketing prices of essential goods, and persistent fuel shortages that have disrupted livelihoods for years.
A recent report by the civil society organization OLUCOME revealed that between April and November 2024, the prices of 36 key products had doubled. OLUCOME attributed this inflation to declining foreign currency reserves and speculative management of the country’s limited resources. “These issues require immediate intervention,” said OLUCOME Chairman Gabriel Rufyiri in a November press release, calling on authorities to take decisive action.
Burundi has long struggled with a foreign currency shortage, a crisis exacerbated by declining export revenues, limited foreign investment, and lingering political instability following the 2015 political crisis.
In response to the worsening fuel crisis, Burundian authorities have announced measures to combat fuel theft and price inflation in the public transportation sector. During a critical meeting last week, Inspector General of Burundi Police Joseph Ninteretse vowed to crack down on fuel diversion and black-market sales.
“Diverting fuel meant for public transport is an illegal practice that must be punished. We will continue to track down those responsible for fuel smuggling,” Ninteretse said. The meeting, attended by police officials, government administrators, intelligence services, transport sector representatives, and the state fuel supplier SOPEBU, exposed the widespread practice of public transport vehicles reselling fuel at inflated prices, exacerbating the crisis.
Earlier this week, a high-level government meeting in the Burundian economic capital Bujumbura, chaired by Minister of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security Martin Niteretse alongside Minister of Communication Leocadie Ndacayisaba, saw major Burundian telecom companies, including Econet, Lumitel, and ONAMOB, express growing frustration over the fuel and currency shortages. They cited these crises as primary barriers to maintaining reliable services for the population.
The fuel shortage has also raised concerns about its impact on the upcoming elections. During a meeting on Monday regarding election preparations, Gabriel Banzawitonde, leader of the APDR party, called for special fuel access during the electoral period to ensure political parties can operate without hindrance. In response, Minister Niteretse assured party leaders that the government would coordinate efforts with SOPEBU to ensure sufficient fuel supplies for election-related activities.
Niteretse further noted that the fuel crisis is “a matter of timing,” blaming certain individuals for exploiting the situation for personal gain by reselling fuel at higher prices.
Prosper Ntahorwamiye, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), who also attended the meeting, reassured political leaders that the government had established a reserve fund of 15,000 liters of fuel to mitigate potential shortages during the electoral period and prevent disruptions to election operations.
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