Beyond Political Violence in Burundi: An Economy in Crisis

Burundi may have slipped off the world’s attention, but the crisis that erupted in May when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would seek a third term is far from being resolved.
Beyond Political Violence in Burundi: An Economy in Crisis
A homeless family cooks their dinner on an open fire in the street of Bujumbura, Burundi, on June 28, 2015. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Burundi may have slipped off the world’s attention, but the crisis that erupted in May when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would seek a third term is far from being resolved.

Most commentators have, rightfully so, discussed the political aspects of the crisis. This includes whether Nkurunziza’s third mandate is constitutional and the lack of coherence of the political opposition. They also discussed the alarming political violence and mounting tension with Rwanda.

Often overlooked is the economy, which is central to understanding the backdrop to the most severe crisis Burundi has had since the end of the 1993–2005 civil war. While acknowledging the crucial political dimension of the crisis, this article focuses on the economic situation and its consequences.

Hungriest Nation on Earth

With a GDP per capita of $267, the country’s 10.16 million people are among the poorest in the world. Burundi ranked 180 out of 186 in the last Human Development Index.

89 percent of the active population depends on farming a territory as densely populated as Belgium. Coffee, once the proud main export of Burundi, was controversially privatized in 2008 and has been declining for 20 years. Tea and cotton, the other traditional exports, are also in poor shape.

Source: Ministry of Finance of Burundi
Source: Ministry of Finance of Burundi
Jean-Benoit Falisse
Jean-Benoit Falisse
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