Burundi President accuses officials of taking nation 'to its death'

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye. [AFP] 

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye accused officials of leading his impoverished nation "to its death" by failing to denounce people he believes are plundering its resources.

The tiny African Great Lakes nation is among the poorest countries in the world, according to the World Bank, with the majority of its roughly 14 million inhabitants earning less than $3 a day.

A severe fuel shortage has paralysed the country for nearly three years.

"Today, there is a black market in fuel, but you don't want to denounce those responsible, while it is you who are being robbed in broad daylight," Ndayishimiye said on Tuesday in the capital Bujumbura.

"It's like foreign currency. There's plenty of foreign currency in Burundi, but it ends up on the black market, and you don't want to denounce those responsible," he said.

"That's why I often ask, especially civil servants: Are you preparing a grave... large enough to contain Burundi, since you're leading it to its death?"

Many reacted with shock to the comments from Ndayishimiye, who came to power in 2020 after the death of Pierre Nkurunziza, who ruled with an iron fist for 15 years.

"The head of state is responsible for the mismanagement, and no one else," said economist Andre Nikwigize on X, who currently lives abroad.

"In short, I'm the president, I see the problem, but I haven't done anything. At least resign," said another X user.

While Ndayishimiye has been praised for gradually ending years of isolationism under Nkurunziza's chaotic and bloody rule, the country's human rights record remains poor.

Burundi's government, which remains under the control of powerful generals, swings between showing signs of openness and tightening its grip on the country.

In June, the ruling party won every seat in the National Assembly in legislative elections described as "rigged" by the opposition.