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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Rwandan Minister James Kabarebe and senior militant Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston for their roles in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The sanctions, announced Tuesday, aim to hold key figures accountable for their involvement in destabilizing the region.

Bujumbura, February 19, 2025 – The Government of Burundi has expressed deep concern over the escalating security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has triggered a large influx of refugees into Burundian territory since the beginning of the year. According to government estimates, between 20,000 and 35,000 people have crossed...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – The Burundi Parliament convened in plenary session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to review and approve a draft law amending Law n°1/02 of March 3, 2016, which governs the reform of municipal taxation in the country. The session featured a presentation by Minister of Internal Affairs, Martin Niteretse, who outlined the...

Bujumbura, Burundi (Feb. 18, 2025) — Efforts to strengthen policy advocacy for the services sector in East Africa are gaining traction as business leaders and policymakers push for institutionalized dialogue and regulatory reforms. With services contributing between 40% and 55% of the East African Community (EAC) GDP, stakeholders emphasize the need for a robust...

Arusha, Tanzania (Feb. 18, 2025) – The East African Community (EAC) has agreed to establish the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) as an official regional institution, a move aimed at strengthening efforts to improve energy access and sustainability in the region. The decision was made during the 16th Meeting...

The Burundian government has rejected claims from human rights activists and some media organizations that it is targeting Banyamulenge and Rwandans in Burundi. Martin Niteretse, the minister of Internal Affairs and Public Security, said during a press conference Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, that the Burundian police had conducted routine screenings of foreign nationals living in the country,...

Resilient tourism For many developing countries, including the least developed countries, small island developing states, countries in Africa and middle-income countries, tourism is a major source of income, foreign currency earnings, tax revenue and employment. Because tourism connects people with nature, sustainable tourism has the unique ability to spur environmental responsibility and conservation.

A 2021 study by the Ministry of Solidarity, in collaboration with UNICEF, found that Burundi had at least 7,000 street children or children begging on the streets. The study showed that 90% of them were boys, while 10% were girls. Poverty and multifaceted family conflicts are behind the children’s decision to join the streets, where some give...

BRUSSELS (Feb. 13, 2025) — Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have called for the immediate suspension of the EU’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with Rwanda, following ongoing violence and a humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a resolution adopted Thursday, MEPs strongly condemned...

African leaders and business experts gathered Thursday for the webinar "Trump, Trade, and Africa: Turning Policy Shifts into Opportunities" to discuss how evolving U.S. trade policies could provide significant opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent. Hon. John Lual Akol Akol, chairperson of the East African Business Council (EABC), called for a...