Burundi’s Supreme Court President Gamaliel Nkurunziza has criticized prolonged delays in commercial court proceedings, warning that slow case handling and weak enforcement of judgments are undermining investor confidence and damaging the country’s fragile economy.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with prosecutors and judges in Bujumbura, the country’s economic capital, Nkurunziza said the judiciary had received repeated complaints from banks and business operators over difficulties in resolving commercial disputes and enforcing court decisions.
“Whenever we meet with banks, they often complain about the commercial courts. Likewise, when we meet with businesspeople, they raise the same concerns,” Nkurunziza said. “These problems stem from several factors, particularly the way commercial cases are decided and how court judgments are enforced.”
He said some commercial disputes had remained unresolved for nearly two decades, a situation he described as damaging public trust in the justice system and discouraging both domestic and foreign investment.
“Imagine a foreign investor who comes to Burundi, turns to our courts for justice, and then spends 20 years in litigation,” Nkurunziza said. “Such an investor will leave and tell others: ‘There is no legal protection there.’”
The Supreme Court chief blamed part of the delays on poor decisions made by lower courts, which often result in lengthy appeals and additional legal battles for citizens and businesses.
“We have witnessed this ourselves. Much of the delay results from poor decisions made at the lower courts, forcing citizens to endure lengthy legal battles,” he said.
Nkurunziza’s comments come amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of Burundi’s judicial system, with civil society groups and President Évariste Ndayishimiye also calling for reforms to improve accountability, reduce corruption and restore public confidence in state institutions.
Beyond commercial disputes, citizens have continued to express dissatisfaction over court decisions and delays in enforcing judgments.
Business Groups Call for Faster and Fairer Justice
Local business associations have joined calls for a faster, more transparent and impartial judicial system, arguing that efficient courts are essential for attracting investment.
Polycarpe Kubwayo, Executive Secretary of the Burundi Cross-Border Traders Association, said a reliable justice system plays a key role in encouraging investors because it assures them that their property and financial interests are protected.
“When investors know that a country’s courts resolve cases quickly and fairly, they are more willing to invest because they believe their investments will be protected,” Kubwayo told BREAKING BURUNDI.
He said fair judicial decisions also help businesses recover unpaid debts, particularly when courts enforce legal procedures related to collateral and commercial guarantees.
Kubwayo warned that when commercial courts fail to resolve disputes efficiently, companies often turn to arbitration, relying on experienced commercial arbitrators to settle conflicts outside the formal court system.
“In such cases, they rely on experienced and respected arbitrators with expertise in commercial matters to mediate and help resolve disputes between businesspeople,” he said.
Delays Affect Consumers and Economic Growth
The Burundian Consumers’ Association (ABUCO) also raised concerns about the wider economic consequences of judicial delays, saying the impact extends beyond businesses to households and national productivity.
Noël Nkurunziza, Secretary General and spokesperson of ABUCO, said delayed decisions and slow enforcement of judgments prevent consumers and entrepreneurs from fully participating in economic activities.
“The fact that judicial decisions are delayed and judgments are not enforced on time creates an economic blockage in many ways,” Nkurunziza said.
He explained that consumers involved in legal disputes often spend significant time following up on cases instead of focusing on their economic activities, affecting household income and national production.
In the business sector, he said large amounts of capital remain tied up in unresolved disputes, which can eventually contribute to business failures and affect financial institutions.
“This situation is a barrier to local investment and especially foreign investment. The entire country loses investors who could have contributed to development,” he said.
ABUCO recommended that judicial authorities introduce mechanisms to monitor court decisions, track case-processing times and identify the causes of delays.
The organisation also called for disciplinary measures against officials responsible for unjustified delays and suggested that judicial promotions should consider the quality and efficiency of judgments delivered.
