Officially ranked among the poorest nations on earth with one of the lowest GDPs per capita, Burundi continues to sink deeper under its regime’s weight of deep economic failures and systemic corruption. Yet President Évariste Ndayishimiye, AKA “Neva,” ridiculously presents an entirely different narrative to foreign guests and visiting delegates.
“Burundi is rich,” Ndayishimiye repeatedly claims as he deflects his responsibility by asserting that the country is merely “sabotaged” by other undefined forces after more than 20 years of his CNDD-FDD military junta rule.
In reality, while a narrow elite of CNDD-FDD generals and high-ranking political insiders have enriched themselves, the vast majority of Burundians have sunk deeper into absolute poverty.
To mask this grim record, whenever a regional or international conference arrives in Bujumbura, he attempts to “clean” up and cover up. Endless queues at petrol stations are forcibly cleared, while street hawkers and beggars are rounded up or detained by security forces.
The government carefully stage-manages every motorcade route, constructing a temporary illusion of a clean Bujumbura. Effectively, they only use 3 to 4 roads, the only clean roads without potholes.
Yet this theatrical display fails to deceive its intended audience. Visiting delegates, particularly those from neighboring regional states, are well aware of the country’s economic collapse in Burundi.
Back in their own capitals, they observe firsthand the growing influx of Burundian migrants forced into informal street vending to survive. Furthermore, no high-speed security convoy or VIP escort can actually completely insulate guests from Bujumbura’s systemic infrastructure challenges.
It is virtually impossible to spend two days in the city without confronting a “Bujumbura” daily reality: sudden power blackouts, diesel generators roaring at host venues, severe fuel scarcity, or opening a faucet only to hear dry air hissing through the pipes.
One delegate confessed, “Everyone is begging for money in Burundi. Immigration officials, government officials, police, hotel staff, street kids, etc. The whole place is constantly asking for money.”
In major events, the ultimate indignity falls upon ordinary citizens. During presidential or state visits, residents are directed to line roadside pavements for hours under the sun, forced to wave, dance, and smile for passing guests of honor while secretly struggling under biting inflation, severe shortages, and daily hunger. They are required to perform in theatrical scenes or face serious persecution.
Ultimately, choreography cannot substitute for governance. Stage-managed streets and forced celebrations may momentarily sanitize the view from a diplomatic motorcade, but they do nothing to address the underlying economic and structural issues facing the country.
Ndayishimiye fools no one and is only putting lipstick on a pig. Huge VIP convoys, in fuel guzzling jeeps, cannot hide or cover the CNDD-FDD’s idiotic rule.
ellenkampire