Since the beginning of February, the province of Kirundo in northern Burundi, bordering Rwanda, has been subject to a curfew restricting the movement of motorcyclists and residents. A measure justified by security reasons, but which is not unanimous.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Since the beginning of February, local authorities in Kirundo province have implemented traffic restrictions aimed at strengthening security.

A curfew has been decided by the police commissioner, prohibiting the movement of motorcyclists from 8 p.m. and limiting that of the rest of the population from 10 p.m.

A measure motivated by security issues

According to local authorities, the measure aims to prevent possible attacks, particularly those that could be carried out by the Rwandan army.

It is part of a climate of growing regional tensions and is accompanied by increased precautions to guarantee the safety of residents.

A noticeable impact on security

On the ground, the effects of this restriction are already being felt. Many residents have noted an improvement in the security situation, including a significant drop in road accidents.

Before the curfew came into force, the province recorded an average of ten accidents per week. Since then, this figure has decreased considerably.

A hard blow for motorcyclists

While the measure seems beneficial in terms of safety, it is not without consequences for motorcycle riders, who see their activity strongly impacted.

With the reduction in their working hours, their income is down, making their daily lives even more difficult. This situation is aggravated by the fuel shortage, which further complicates their travel and their professional activity.

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A motorcycle parking lot in the town center of Kirundo province in northern Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)