News

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi on Monday marked 64 years since the assassination of Prince Louis Rwagasore, a national hero who played a pivotal role in the country’s independence from Belgian colonial rule. Rwagasore, founder of the Union for National Progress (UPRONA), was a key figure in Burundi’s political landscape and is celebrated for promoting...

ARUSHA, Tanzania — The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has sounded alarm over persistent governance failures, mineral smuggling, and inconsistent mining laws that are draining billions in potential revenue from the region’s mineral wealth. In a report adopted Tuesday by EALA’s Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources (ATNR), lawmakers said the mining sector...

ARUSHA, Tanzania — Burundi’s newly appointed foreign minister, Edouard Bizimana, was sworn in Tuesday as an ex-officio member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) during a session in Arusha, Tanzania. “Recently, His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye appointed Edouard Bizimana as the minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs of Burundi. As the...

The Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) has expressed concern over the growing misuse of Burundian banknotes, particularly their use as decoration at events and public gatherings, warning that such practices damage the country’s currency and image. In a public statement issued this week, the central bank said it has observed “with dismay”...

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, in his final address as chairman of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), highlighted developments in regional economic integration Thursday at the 24th COMESA Summit in Nairobi. The summit, themed “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” brought together leaders from 21...

OSLO, Norway — The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Thursday awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for her efforts to promote democratic rights and advocate for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in her country. Ms. Machado, a leading figure in Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, has been recognized...

Kenya’s Harambee Stars battled past an early scare to defeat 10-man Burundi 1–0 on Thursday in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash at Stade Intwari. The winner came in the 73rd minute, when substitute Ryan Ogam curled home a left-footed strike after a clever pass from captain Michael Olunga. The goal sealed a...

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has passed the East African Community Statistics Bureau Bill, 2018, a key step toward creating a regional statistics body to support economic integration and the future East African Monetary Union (EAMU). The Bill was approved on October 8, 2025, after years of delays and amendments requested by the Republic of Burundi.

Burundi’s new minister of justice has vowed sweeping reforms to ease the country’s overcrowded prisons, including the closure of some facilities and greater reliance on alternatives to incarceration. Justice Minister Katihabwa Arthemon said the government is committed to strengthening the independence of the judiciary while safeguarding the rights of all Burundians.

NAIROBI, Kenya — October 5, 2025 — The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat and the Government of Kenya have launched an electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO), a move expected to modernize trade facilitation and strengthen digital integration across the region. The system, unveiled on October 2, marks a milestone in...