On the night of January 21, 2025, Burundian soldiers intercepted a large illegal fuel shipment in the Rumonge region, highlighting the nation’s ongoing struggles with fuel shortages and their impact on the national economy.
Around 11:30 p.m., soldiers from the Burundian army’s G2 service, acting on a tip-off, stopped a Toyota Townace vehicle traveling along the RN3 road in Gitamba, located between Karonda and Cabara in the Kigwena zone of Rumonge Commune. The vehicle, was found to be carrying 69 cans of 40-liter and 11 cans of 20-liter of gasoline—totaling approximately 2,980 liters. The fuel was believed to have been transported illegally from Tanzania to the Magara-Bugarama center.
Following the intervention of local police (CP Rumonge), the alleged owner of the fuel shipment was immediately arrested at the scene. Both individuals are currently being held at the Rumonge police cell pending further investigations.
This incident underscores the growing challenges Burundi faces as it grapples with a persistent fuel crisis that has plagued the country for over three years. The shortage of fuel, which has disrupted businesses and public transportation, is tied to a wider economic issue—an acute foreign exchange (forex) shortage affecting the nation’s reserves.
The ongoing fuel scarcity has had a ripple effect across the Burundian economy, contributing to inflation rates exceeding 25%, according to the World Bank. The lack of fuel has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to operate and has worsened the financial strain on ordinary Burundians.
As the situation continues to evolve, authorities are focusing on curbing illegal fuel trade, which has exacerbated the crisis.
