News

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (Burundi Times) — Nearly six million Burundians went to the polls on Thursday, June 5, to elect 100 lawmakers and 1,050 district councilors across the East African nation, amid largely calm conditions. However, opposition party CNL (National Congress for Liberty) has raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Polling...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation restricting travel from several countries, including Burundi, citing national security concerns, the White House announced Wednesday. The proclamation imposes full travel bans on nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Citizens...

June 3, 2025 | Arusha, Tanzania The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) reconvened virtually on Tuesday, reversing its April 29 decision to halt budgetary proceedings due to financial constraints. This move comes as the East African Community (EAC) grapples with significant funding shortfalls stemming from delayed and incomplete contributions by member states.

ENTEBBE, Uganda— Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye on Tuesday officially handed over the rotating presidency of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the region to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The handover occurred during the 12th summit of the oversight mechanism at...

Arusha, Tanzania — May 28, 2025 The East African Business Council (EABC) has urged East African Community (EAC) Partner States to adopt a collective approach when negotiating trade agreements with third parties, warning that separate bilateral deals could weaken the region’s economic integration and distort its Common External Tariff (CET). Speaking...

Gitega, May 24 — Flambeau du Centre FC emerged victorious in the 2025 edition of the Burundi President’s Cup after edging out Musongati FC 1-0 in a tightly contested final at Ingoma Stadium on Saturday. A 77th-minute strike from Faustin Likua Kitoko proved decisive, as the forward expertly converted a free kick opportunity to...

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (May 24, 2025) The 19th Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of the East African Community (EAC) concluded Saturday in Dar es Salaam with renewed calls for unity and integration. However, the gathering also highlighted significant financial challenges, particularly affecting the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which has managed only one plenary session...

MOMBASA, Kenya — The East African Community has approved a new masterplan to modernize and harmonize cross-border payment systems, marking a major step toward deeper regional economic integration and the bloc’s goal of adopting a single currency by 2031. The Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan was endorsed on May 9 during the 28th Ordinary Meeting...

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s media regulator has issued a directive requiring both public and private media to adhere to strict principles of fairness, balance, and equal access during the campaign for the country’s upcoming legislative and communal elections — a move that comes with a warning to journalists and raises fresh questions about press freedom.

NAIROBI, Kenya — Youth and women traders across East Africa are urging governments in the region to remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that hinder their participation in agri-food trade, citing high costs, duplicative certification processes, and inconsistent standards as major obstacles. Speaking at the opening of the East Africa Cross-Border Trader Associations Forum on Non-Tariff...