Burundi: Nationwide fuel shortage

Event

According to the government, the country is facing a serious shortage of gasoline due to the lack of foreign currency to import fuel (as of Wednesday, May 3). A local source reported that in the capital city of Bujumbura, gasoline is currently only available every other day in some gas stations. According to some residents, the situation is even more difficult outside the capital; in Gitega (center), the country's second largest city, there has been no gasoline for sale for more than a month.

The shortages reportedly caused a sharp rise in gasoline price on the black market, now reportedly going for USD 4 per liter (7000 Burundi francs), versus the official price of USD 1.2 (BIF 2100).

Context

Due to a deep political and economic crisis, which has affected the country for two years, the Burundian franc is generally not accepted outside the country and there is little if any inflow of US dollars, depriving gasoline importers of the currency they require to import adequate supplies.

On a more general note, political violence persists throughout Burundi in the aftermath of the country's contested July 2015 elections. A number of political opposition parties, human rights organizations, and international NGOs have voiced concerns over the continuation of political violence against the opposition in recent months; security forces and members of the youth wing of the ruling party, the Imbonerakure, are accused of targeting opponents in violent attacks. While the country appears to be experiencing a period of relative calm (certainly in comparison to the violent outbreaks seen throughout 2015 and 2016) the situation remains worrisome, particularly in Bujumbura, where the risk of politically motivated outbreaks of violence remains.

Advice

Individuals present in Burundi are advised to fill up their vehicles whenever gasoline is available, to ensure sufficient fuel reserves before all long journeys, and to expect longer waiting times at gas stations.