Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital, is witnessing a growing crisis as poverty forces children out of school, leading to a significant rise in the number of street children. Advocacy groups are urging the government to prioritize education and take action to protect children’s rights.
Among the affected is 14-year-old Olivier Niyonizeye, who left school due to his family’s dire financial situation. “I dropped out because we couldn’t afford school fees or materials. The little money I make on the streets helps my parents survive,” Niyonizeye said at Cotebu Market.
The government has made attempts to address the issue. Earlier this year, police apprehended over 300 street children and sent them to shelters in Cankuzo eastern province. However, many returned to the streets of Bujumbura, citing poor living conditions at the centers, according to Iwacu, a local newspaper.
Prime Mbarubukeye, head of ONLCT, a children’s rights organization, described the shelters as inadequate. “Children in Cankuzo live in inhumane conditions, lacking food, education, and basic necessities. Many are vulnerable to exploitation and forced labor in neighboring countries,” he said in a statement marking the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Child trafficking is another alarming issue. FENADEB, a collective advocating for children’s rights, reported that over 600 people were trafficked to Tanzania in the past year alone, primarily for exploitative labor. “More than 80% of these victims are between 9 and 17 years old,” FENADEB said in a statement.
Sixty Vigny Nimuraba, head of Burundi’s Independent National Commission for Human Rights, pointed out factors driving school dropouts, including poverty, child labor, and early pregnancies. Nimuraba urged the government to implement measures ensuring children complete their education. “Protective laws must be enacted to guarantee children their right to education,” he emphasized.
Advocacy groups and human rights organizations continue to call on the government to tackle the root causes of this crisis and ensure every child’s right to education and protection is upheld.
