11 October 2007
Bujumbura — The price of bread has sharply increased from 60 to 150 francs in the capital city of Bujumbura. This increase is caused by a rise in the price of wheat flour on the domestic market.
The price of bread rose by 20 francs in August of this year following the rise of the price of sugar. This newest hike might come as the final blow to a population that is powerlessly watching the prices of all the commodities of the first rise.
Hopes of economic recovery are fading away and giving way to confusion as the government is struggling to implement the 34&percnt increase in salary for civil servants promised by the President of the Republic in May 2007. The government of Burundi was expecting assistance from donors.
The rise of prices of products of the first necessity began in August with an increase in the price of sugar and then beverages. This increase was aimed at strengthening the finances of the government of Burundi in order to meet the requirements of the International Monetary Fund.
The decision to increase prices was made after the Second Vice President of the Republic, Mr. Gabriel Ntisezerana, met with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund in August 2007.
The IMF agreed to back Burundi in paying the 34&percnt increase in salaries for civil servants if Burundi increased the prices of staple commodities. In the meantime, the government plans to start implementing the promise of the head of state in January 2008.
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