Msgr. Joachim Ntahondereye, the Bishop of Muyinga and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Burundi (CECAB), presented a stark assessment of the nation's economic stability during an audience with President Évariste Ndayishimiye on November 12. According to AllAfrica, the meeting took place at the Ntare Rushatsi Palace in Bujumbura, where the bishops outlined critical shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and foreign currency, alongside persistent issues with electricity supplies. These concerns represent a continuation of warnings previously issued in June during the bishops' Plenary Assembly, where they highlighted poor agricultural yields driven by insufficient rainfall and rising input costs.
The scarcity of foreign currency has severely hampered the country's ability to purchase essential agricultural commodities on international markets. This economic strain is expected to be exacerbated by the El Niño climate phenomenon, which the World Meteorological Organization predicts will bring rainfall levels up to 40 percent above average to Burundi and neighboring regions between October and December. While increased precipitation could benefit pastureland, the report notes that the risk of flooding remains high, potentially destroying crops, damaging infrastructure, and increasing the likelihood of waterborne epidemics that could disrupt healthcare and nutrition services.
In response to these compounded challenges, President Ndayishimiye urged the population to rely more heavily on domestic resources, citing a significant reduction in foreign aid. He emphasized the development of income-generating activities, specifically pointing to export crops, the mining sector, and tourism as key areas for growth. The President drew a comparison with Tanzania, describing it as a model of development built on peace, whereas he suggested that certain individuals within Burundi are undermining the positive results achieved by the state. He also praised the Catholic Church's contribution to national development and encouraged it to raise awareness among the faithful regarding work and personal growth.
The head of state also highlighted the importance of such meetings in strengthening the relationship between the state and the church, particularly in the context of upcoming elections. By framing the economic crisis as a call for internal resilience, the President shifted the focus from external aid to local production capabilities. The bishops' intervention underscores the growing intersection of religious leadership and economic policy in Burundi, as the church seeks to address the immediate needs of a population facing both climatic and financial pressures.