Featured stories about Burundi
Stories about Burundi
9 March 2020
A ‘sweet’ deal: Sugar war ends between Tanzania and Uganda after years-long embargo
After a years-long ban on sugar imports from Uganda, Tanzania announced that it would open up trade on a government-to-government basis, strengthening ties within the East African Community.
13 August 2019
Malaria has affected over 5 million people in Burundi so far this year
In Burundi, so far this year, malaria has affected 5,738,661 million people — that's about half its population. Yet, the government hesitates to declare an epidemic.
25 March 2019
Burundi: Scribble on the president's picture — go to jail
"If I did this in Nkurunziza’s Burundi, I could be jailed."
6 March 2019
Burundian troop withdrawal from Somalia leads to another diplomatic standoff
Amidst Burundi's ongoing political and economic crisis, funding from international peacekeeping missions is a significant source of foreign currency. Now, AMISOM has asked Burundi to reduce their troops from Somalia.
24 October 2018
Burundi clamps down on international NGOs and rejects human rights criticisms
In September, the National Security Council announced all NGOs – except in hospitals and schools – were suspended for three months from October 1, and mining companies for one month.
11 May 2018
Burundi's contentious constitutional referendum reflects deeper political problems
Whether a sign of independence or authoritarianism, Burundi's constitutional referendum appears to have further cemented divisions.
2 February 2018
Burundi's Opposition Says Only ‘Yes’ Campaigning Is Allowed on Referendum to Extend President’s Rule
"The launch of the project to bury...the constitution by Nkurunziza is a declaration of war on the Burundian people. Between Nkurunziza and the Burundian people who will win?"
7 June 2017
Ethnic and Political Violence Continue to Stain Burundi
"If I were to take you at your word, I would ask you why you insist on providing ammunition to the imperialist colonists that call us savages."
19 April 2017
Burundi's Political Instability Is Worsening the Country's Food Crisis
While the whole of East Africa has been hit with a serious food crisis due to extreme weather, Burundi's political volatility has made the situation worse.
6 February 2017
As Burundi's Political Crisis Simmers, Critics Are Silenced
Many reporters and activists have fled the country, and some are even missing.
23 January 2017
“The Human Rights Situation in Burundi Is Deteriorating: We Need a New Approach to Show the World What is Happening”
"Strained relations in Burundi are causing price hikes and making life very difficult for the population. We need an urgent resolution to the Burundi crisis".
22 January 2017
The Long Road of Burundi’s Diplomatic Isolation
Over the past several months, Burundi’s ongoing political-security crisis has exacerbated diplomatic tensions and local economic decline.
30 August 2016
Journalist Jean Bigirimana Is Still Missing as Burundi's Political Crisis Continues
The government's denial of Jean's detention has left his friends and colleagues fearful that authorities may be concealing information on his whereabouts or death.
16 June 2016
World Refugee Day: Fear of Arrest Drives Journalists Into Exile
"I was paralyzed by the idea of exile. This is the first time I had decided to flee the country without knowing exactly when I would return."
18 May 2016
‘Enfants du Pays’ Project Remembers Victims of Burundi’s Crisis With Life Stories and Artwork
"Thank you #EnfantsDuPays for making sure Burundians do not die 'twice.'"
28 April 2016
The Fight to Control the Narrative in Burundi's Crisis
Government critics are rejected as plotting or linked to insurgency, while government supporters and security services employees become collectively associated with authorities' repressive tactics.
29 February 2016
Can Goodwill Gestures Help End Burundi's Political Crisis?
Two blocked radios are permitted back on the air, arrest warrants were lifted and some prisoners to be freed -- yet many remain unconvinced about the government's good intentions.
16 February 2016
Burundi's Independent Media Aren't Going Down Without a Fight
"Why do you harass the only independent media left to us?"
Burundi's Independent Media Finds Itself in the Crossfire of a Deadly Crisis
"...we could never have imagined that the government had developed a plan for the total destruction of the media..."
12 November 2015
The Crisis in Burundi Takes a Troubling Turn for the Worse
"...if the Burundian population remains poor, with all of the problems that come with a large population and a small territory, the country will always have violent cycles."
