Burundi caution

This item appears on page 21 of the March 2009 issue.

The US Department of State warns of the risks of travel to Burundi.

Burundi was plagued by a civil war from 1993 to 2006. In September 2006, the government and the last rebel group not party to peace accords, the Palipehutu–FNL, signed a cease-fire agreement. However, many of the cease-fire provisions have not been implemented. 

In April 2008, FNL rebel forces engaged Burundian military units in and around Bujumbura. Government troops overcame them and FNL leaders agreed to discontinue hostilities, but a final peace agreement has not been completed.

Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits or street children, poses the highest risk for foreign visitors to Burundi. Visitors should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic. Also, vehicles have been ambushed, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura.