President Ndayishimiye’s purge of top officials shows the fragility of recent economic and political policy changes.
Back home, the government is trying to tackle political and socio-economic challenges. The president has promised to crack down on monopolies held by party elites over various economic sectors. So it was unsurprising that the trade minister announced in September that the country would ease imports of basic commodities including cement, sugar, maize and maize flour. The central bankrestrictions on foreign currency exchange, allowing forex bureaus to operate after a two-year ban.
Although these measures have eased shortages of basic goods, the reforms lack political consensus, and questions about their credibility remain. Human rights activists have publicly petitioned against lifting US and EU sanctions, arguing that the government has yet to make any meaningful change.
Ndayishimiye’s policy shifts have also exacerbated tensions within the CNDD-FDD. These conflicts are made worse by indications that September’s political purge seems to have targeted figuresto former president Nkurunziza. Aside from Bunyoni, those sacked included chief of staff Gabriel Nizigama, five ministers and 54 provincial police commissioners.
If the rumours of a coup plot are to be believed, that might signal that aggrieved party members could resort to violence to stop the reforms. Other threats to the country’s political stability are ongoing human rights violations and the Imbonerakure’s activities. What is clear is that Ndayishimiye’s reforms have revealed cracks in Burundi’s political landscape.
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