NAIROBI: Burundi declared the small central city of Gitega the country’s new political capital on Saturday, in line with a presidential promise made a decade ago.

A government spokesman named Gitega while also stating that the previous capital Bujumbura, on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, would in future function solely as the country’s economic centre.

The government "has just adopted an historic bill making Gitega the political capital and making Bujumbura the economic capital," tweeted Jean-Claude Karerwa Ndenzako, spokesman for President Pierre Nkurunziza.

"Cabinet meetings will henceforth be held in Gitega, where five ministries will also be established from the start of 2019," he added, notably the interior, education and agriculture ministries.

Parliament, dominated by the ruling party, must still approve the move.

Nkurunziza promised in 2007 the move would go ahead, citing Gitega’s central position compared to Bujumbura, although the former’s population is barely 30,000 to Bujumbura’s 1.2 million.

The new choice was once the capital of the Burundian monarchy and the opposition accuse Nkurunziza of attempting a symbolic restoration. Bujumbura is today considered an opposition stronghold where the president spends less and less time. One activist who requested anonymity said Gitega was not ready to assume the mantle of capital.

"There are practically no offices to let, few hotels or restaurants -- it’s an irrational decision," he said of the move much derided on social media. "The country is deep in economic crisis and does not have the means to move and instal five ministries in Gitega." </s> Burundi is moving its capital from the shores of Lake Tanganyika and deep into the nation’s central highlands.

Authorities announced they would change the political capital from Bujumbura to Gitega, which is located over 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the east. The current capital will remain the nation’s commercial center, while five ministries will be established in Gitega beginning 2019, spokesperson to the president Jean-Claude Karerwa Ndenzako said on Twitter.

The decision came just days after president Pierre Nkurunziza, who had promised to move the capital there in 2007 because of its centrality, held a government retreat in the city. The region is also the birthplace and the spot where nation’s last king Ntare V was killed in 1972.

With a population of about 11 million people, Burundi is one of the poorest nations in the world. Since coming to power in 2005, president Nkurunziza has solidified his grip on power, with voters this year backing a constitutional referendum that could see him rule till 2034. The decision to relocate the capital is likely linked to Bujumbura increasingly being an opposition stronghold, leading to continued clashes between protesters and police.

By moving its capital, the East African nation follows in the footsteps of other African states. Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Nigeria have all moved their political capitals after developing new ones beginning in the 1980s. Many countries including Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana are also building new, futuristic, billion-dollar cities to deal with increased urbanization and growing population. </s> (Bloomberg) -- Burundian authorities decided to move the political capital to the city of Gitega in the central province, from Bujumbura, government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye said Monday on Burundi National Television.

Bujumbura will remain the economic capital as many of country’s business activities’ are based there, Ntahorwamiye said.

At least five ministries and their agencies will start working from Gitega in Jan. 2019. State agencies such as the human right commission and land commission will be relocated to Gitega starting from next year, he said. Other government agencies will move in due course and cabinet meetings will be held in Gitega starting next year, Ntahorwamiye said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Desire Nimubona in Bujumbura at dnimubona@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Paul Richardson at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net, Eric Ombok, Pauline Bax </s> News 24 Burundi declared the small central city of Gitega the country's new political capital on Saturday,... </s> Bujumbura. President Pierre Nkurunziza on Tuesday signed legislation enabling Burundi to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A copy of the law seen by AFP and dated October 18 allows “the Republic of Burundi’s withdrawal from the Rome statute”, the ICC’s founding treaty.

The next step will be for the country to officially notify the United Nations, launching a year-long departure process that will make the country the first ever to quit the tribunal.

Burundi’s lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the move on October 12, its latest snub of the international community after the release of a damning UN report in September detailing atrocities and warning of “genocide”. (AFP) </s> BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi is voting in a referendum proposing constitutional changes that could extend the president’s rule until 2034.

Five million people are registered to vote in the referendum amid fears of violence because of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s efforts to prolong his stay in power despite widespread opposition.

Burundi descended into violence in 2015 when Nkurunziza sought a disputed third term.

In Bujumbura, the capital, there are long lines of voters and the security forces have been deployed across the city.

If the results of the referendum go his way, Nkurunziza could get an additional 14 years in power when his current term expires in 2020.

Rights groups cited there have been abuses targeting opponents of the proposed constitutional changes.

It is not clear when final results will be announced. </s> BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Burundi’s security minister says 26 people are dead and seven others wounded after an overnight attack blamed on a “terrorist group.”

Alain Guillaume Bunyoni told reporters that 24 people were killed in their homes Friday night and two others died of their wounds at a local hospital.

He gave no further details about the attack in the Ruhagarika community of the rural northwestern province of Cibitoke.

The attack comes shortly before Burundians vote May 17 in a controversial referendum that could extend the president’s term. It is not immediately clear if the attack is related.

The East African country has seen deadly political violence since early 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza successfully pursued a disputed third term.
Burundi moves its capital from Bujumbura to Gitega.