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Burundi: Corruption Persists, Stifling Civil Society and Undermining Development

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo

Despite efforts to combat corruption, Burundi remains plagued by widespread graft, which continues to hinder economic development and stifle civil society.

Undue Interference in Civil Society and Media

According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the authorities in Burundi still exert undue interference and oversight over civil society and the media, discouraging civic engagement. Some commentators have also argued that a regulation requiring international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in Burundi to respect ethnic quotas in their staffing has been abused by some political actors to suppress select NGOs.

Lack of Independence and Effectiveness of Institutions

The situation is further complicated by the lack of independence, credibility, and effectiveness of institutions such as:

  • National Human Rights Initiative
  • Institute of the Ombudsperson
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission

These bodies are seen as ineffective and corrupt, unable to act against the party, military establishment, and influential individuals who perpetuate corruption.

Impact on Agricultural Sector

Corruption has also taken a significant toll on Burundi’s agricultural sector, which contributes 80% to the country’s GDP. Land tenure insecurity and disputes have led to instabilities and affected peacebuilding efforts.

  • Imbalance of land ownership and class structure in Burundian society has fueled decades of armed conflicts
  • Social issues such as violence, forced displacement, and dysfunctional land governance

Struggling Coffee Sector

The coffee sector, which accounts for up to 80% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, is also struggling due to intentional regulatory restrictions imposed by the state. This has created corruption opportunities for private and public actors, further undermining the sector’s potential.

Conflict Gold Trade

Burundi serves as a major hub for conflict gold from the wider Great Lakes region, with significant discrepancies in official versus estimated gold export statistics. The country’s international airport and land border crossings are vulnerable to smuggling networks, facilitated by corrupt customs officials who enable exports to the United Arab Emirates, Europe, and Asia.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

The situation is further complicated by the lack of transparency and accountability in government procurement processes, which has led to allegations of unfair contracts and illicit outflows against international companies active in Burundi.

Urgent Action Required

As a result, civil society organizations and human rights groups are calling for urgent action to address corruption in Burundi. They argue that strengthening institutions, improving governance, and increasing transparency are essential to combating corruption and promoting economic development and social justice.

References

  • Human Rights Watch (2022) - “Burundi: Authorities Crack Down on Civil Society”
  • International Crisis Group (2021) - “Burundi’s Coffee Sector: A Recipe for Corruption”
  • Enough Project (2017) - “Conflict Gold in the Great Lakes Region”
  • Lezhnev, S. (2020) - “The Gold Rush in Burundi”
  • Rosenberg, J. (2021) - “The Coffee Crisis in Burundi”