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BISSAU — Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s state visit to Guinea-Bissau has deepened relations between the two nations, culminating in a visa exemption agreement for all passports, a framework cooperation pact, and an accord on political consultations. The agreements, announced this week by the Burundian presidency, follow Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s visit to Bujumbura...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — The cost of building new homes in Bujumbura jumped 40.4% in June compared with the same month last year, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Burundi (INSBU). The surge was driven by sharp increases in the prices of materials, labor, and equipment rentals. The June INSBU report shows that...

GATUMBA, Burundi — Non-tariff barriers and costly travel documents are making cross-border trade difficult for women traders in the East African Community (EAC), despite regional commitments to ease movement of goods and people. Members of the East African Legislative Assembly Women’s Caucus (EALA WC) on Thursday visited the Gatumba border between Burundi and the...

The East African Community (EAC) is stepping up efforts to make regional mobile phone roaming cheaper, fairer, and more accessible, following a series of national consultations held in August under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP). Governments, regulators, and mobile operators across the EAC Partner States met to review and validate proposed...

Matchday eight of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers produced goals, surprises, and late drama as Uganda boosted their qualification hopes, Algeria stumbled against Guinea, and Malawi staged a spirited fightback in Lilongwe. Uganda 2–0 SomaliaUganda kept their Group G campaign on track with a confident 2-0 win over Somalia in Kira Town. Allan...

Geneva, Sept. 3, 2025 The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a landmark resolution on the safety of journalists, laying out a detailed roadmap that urges governments to reform restrictive laws, protect reporters from both physical and digital threats, and end the culture of impunity that fuels attacks on the press. Backed by...

Arusha, Tanzania Ministers and senior officials from across the East African Community (EAC) are meeting in Arusha this week to shape the bloc’s next development strategy, review its long-term vision, and address persistent barriers to trade. The 35th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers Responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning, alongside the...

Lusaka, Zambia — Eight member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are expected to record sharp declines in trade volumes this year following new reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, the regional bloc said Friday. The countries most affected include the Democratic Republic of Congo (11% decline), Libya...

Burundians went to the polls Monday to elect local administrators, with the country’s electoral commission reporting that voting materials were in place nationwide and polling stations opened as scheduled. Prosper Ntahorwamiye, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), said turnout at 6 a.m. was lower than in previous elections but expected participation to...

Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye recently made a cabinet reshuffle, appointed new government including Arthémon Katihabwa the country's minister of justice and Human Rights. He spoke to Burundi Times about his life, journey and vision to serve justice in Burundi. Q: Minister, could you start by introducing yourself to our readers?I am Katihabwa Arthemon,...