13 September 2007
Bujumbura — The representative of the World Bank in East Africa, Judith O'Connor, plans to meet with leaders of the opposition parties.
The aim of this meeting is to work towards breaking the impasse in the national assembly which is blocking the approval of laws. After the controversial appointment of the current ministerial cabinet and the dismissal of Hussein Radjabu from the leadership of CNDD-FDD, the ruling party is faced with the problem of winning the majority in the lower house of the parliament required for the approval of laws and projects presented by the government.
Representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank normally meet with prominent figures of the government, but as the situation is very tense in Burundi and the country is on the verge of a precipitous fall, Ms O'Connor chose to meet with prominent opposition leaders. Ms O'Connor has already visited two projects that are funded by the World Bank, including the Buyenzi market whose costs amount to more than 3 billion francs.
Various international agencies have worked intensely to reverse the chaotic economic situation that is prevailing in Burundi. The government is now striving to secure liquid money after a chaotic management of the country's assets.
Burundi has entered a new and difficult era ever since the price of products of the first necessity has risen while promises of the increase in salary for civil servants have not been kept. Even when the promised increase is implemented, it will have no major effects on the lives of the population as prices of almost all commodities continue to rise.
The delay in honouring the promise may spark demonstrations. The confederation of trade unions has already written to The President of the Republic urging him to set the deadline for the payment of the 34&percnt increase. The Finance minister of Burundi, Ms Clotilde NIZIGAMA, signed an agreement with the European Union delegation granting 30 million euros to Burundi. Minister Nizigama was very careful to state that civil servants should not take for granted that the payment of their salaries will no longer pose a problem as the disbursement of this aid is contingent upon conditions such as good governance.
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