26 October 2007
Bujumbura — During its meeting on 24 October, the cabinet congratulated the department of customs for its performance over the last three months. The department of customs was able to collect more than eight billion Burundian francs. The department is, however, plagued by bribery across the board.
The government of Burundi now depends largely on revenue from taxes and customs to pay civil servants. The International Monetary Fund has refused to support Burundi in paying the 34 percent increase in salary for civil servants.
Burundi is currently faced with an economic crisis. The annual budget for 2008 has not been sent to the national assembly for analysis.
The finance ministry was waiting for the conclusion of talks with the IMF in order to make various adjustments to the budget.
The government of Burundi has seen its assets dwindle after donors refused to disburse funds due to many cases of embezzlement and corruption as well as an unsatisfactory political situation.
The mass killing of Muyinga and Kinama and the illicit sale of the Falcon 50 jet have also discouraged donors.
At a time when the government is faced with a scarcity of funds, various trade unions have launched strikes, urging the present administration to implement agreements that were signed by previous administrations.
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