Published: May 7, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Burundi Travel Advisory and Burundi Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Bujumbura:
Avenue Des États-Unis, Bujumbura.
Tel: +257 22-20-7000; After-Hours Emergency: +257 79-938-841.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 0730 - 1700, Friday 0730 – 1230.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in Bujumbura. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Burundi Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should reconsider travel to Burundi due to crime, health, and political violence. Do not travel to the former Central Market located on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura due to the risk of violent crime or Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and Kibira National Park due to potential armed violence.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bujumbura as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Burundi, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country, crime rates have increased significantly in the last year. Snatch and grab robberies of cell phones and purses and thefts from vehicles and homes have become more frequent. Armed home invasions, even in affluent neighborhoods with 24/7 guard protection, are not uncommon.
Crimes of opportunity (mainly for financial gain) are the most reported incidents of crime against U.S. citizens in Burundi. Violent crimes, such as armed robbery, occur frequently. Westerners are sometimes targeted due to their perceived wealth. In the last year, there was one armed home invasion targeting a U.S. citizen.
Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to crimes. Theft, robbery, and burglary are common; armed or violent crime causing injury or fatality occurs often. Petty crime occurs at all hours and may be more likely in public spaces; serious crimes occur mostly at night. Foreigners should take precautions, especially at night, to avoid becoming a victim of opportunity. The Embassy prohibits personnel from walking during hours of darkness.
Police and military checkpoints are common and can restrict freedom of movement. Travelers have reported harassment, bribe solicitations, intimidation, and (though rare) physical violence, especially during heightened security situations. Police frequently conduct searches in the homes of private citizens.
The former Central Market located on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore is prone to violent crimes such as grenade attacks and armed robbery. The area is off-limits to U.S. Embassy personnel at all times.
In the provinces of Cibitoke and Bubanza, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, as well as Mutimbuzi commune in Bujumbura Rural province, there have been armed attacks primarily conducted by groups operating from the eastern DRC. The border may close without notice. On January 11, 2024, Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda following armed group attacks on the outskirts of Bujumbura. In recent months, the Congolese armed group M23 has taken control of several areas in eastern DRC. The ongoing conflict in the DRC heightens concerns about potential spillover into neighboring regions.
Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, and the Mutimbuzi commune of Bujumbura Rural province, are vulnerable to attacks by armed groups from the DRC. Armed actors exploit porous borders and forested areas between Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC for movement and activities. Relations between Burundi and Rwanda are tense, and there is a risk of cross-border incursions and armed clashes.
U.S. Embassy personnel are restricted from travel to the following areas without special permission: the provinces of Bubanza and Cibitoke and Kibira National Park (including the park’s southernmost part in Muramvya province). U.S. Embassy personnel are restricted from all travel outside Bujumbura Mairie during hours of darkness (typically 6:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.).
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Burundi.
Reports of kidnapping incidents involving Westerners within Burundi are not common. Kidnapping involving local nationals is generally economically or politically motivated, although obtaining accurate information on these incidents remains difficult.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bujumbura as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Burundi.
Regional terror groups have threatened U.S., Western, and Burundian interests and are capable of crossing borders to carry out attacks. There is little direct anti-U.S. sentiment in Burundi.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bujumbura as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Burundi. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Burundi is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in June 2025 and presidential elections in 2027. Although the ruling party CNDD-FDD has firm control of the political landscape, political tensions have the potential to cause sporadic violence throughout the country. Political intimidation by the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, is common.
Protests & Demonstrations
All public gatherings require government pre-approval. Only pro-government marches and protests have taken place since mid-2016. Participants of government-sponsored protests often receive money for attendance or are forced to attend.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There is little direct anti-U.S. sentiment in Burundi.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Burundi is 112. It is best to report a crime in person. The police may not investigate or adjudicate crime – especially theft. If a U.S. citizen is the victim of a serious crime, contact the police and the Consular section of the U.S. Embassy at +257-22-20-7000.
The Burundian National Police, which is under the authority of the Public Security Ministry, is responsible for law enforcement and maintaining order. The armed forces, which are under the authority of the Defense Ministry, are responsible for external security, but also have some domestic security responsibilities. The National Intelligence Service, which reports directly to the president, has arrest and detention authority.
The Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, has no official arrest authority, but some members have been involved in or responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including murder. They routinely assume the role of state security agents and as such detain and turn over individuals to members of the official security services, in some cases after committing human rights abuses.
Civilian authorities at times do not maintain control over the security forces. Reports allege that members of the security forces have committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
Local police lack the capacity and resources to conduct timely investigations into most law enforcement concerns. The police also lack the resources and training to respond effectively to most security concerns in a timely manner. The public widely views police to be corrupt; petty corruption involving police is commonplace.
Due to a lack of training and resources, the Burundian National Police finds it challenging to conduct traditional police responsibilities (e.g., dealing with traffic accidents, responding to an emergency at a residence). The investigative capacity of Burundian law enforcement is extremely limited.
There is an overall lack of sophisticated technological skills among security forces in Burundi. The police have almost no capability to investigate these types of crimes when they do occur.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Burundi, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Burundi.
Burundian law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, yet corruption remains a serious problem. The government does not fully implement the law and some high-level government officials engage in corrupt practices with impunity. Numerous reports of government corruption arise every year. The constitution provides for the creation of a High Court of Justice to review accusations of serious crimes against high-ranking government officials. The anticorruption law also applies to all other citizens, but no high-ranking person has stood trial for corruption.
The public widely views the police to be corrupt, and petty corruption involving police is commonplace. There were also allegations of corruption in the government, including incidents related to the lack of transparency of budget revenue involving gasoline importation; the trading in influence and abuse of office or power; the mismanagement of public tenders and contracts, including in the health and mining sector; misappropriation of public funds; customs fraud; and the appropriation of the country’s limited foreign currency reserves to finance imports. The Burundian Revenue Office has an internal antifraud unit, but observers accuse its officials of fraud.
Prolonged pretrial detention remains a serious problem. By law, authorities may not hold a person longer than 14 days without charge. Authorities have held some suspects without formal charges. According to the Office of Penitentiary Affairs, the average time in pretrial detention is approximately one year, but some persons remained in pretrial detention for nearly five years. In some cases, the length of detention equaled or exceeded the sentence for the alleged crime. Inefficiency and corruption among police, prosecutors, and judicial officials contributes to the problem. For example, authorities deprive many persons of their legal right to be released on their own recognizance because public prosecutors failed to open case files or the files were lost. Others remain incarcerated without proper arrest warrants, either because police failed to complete the initial investigation and transfer the case to the appropriate magistrate or because the magistrate failed to convene the required hearing to rule on the charges.
Cybersecurity
There are no cybersecurity concerns specific to private-sector operations in Burundi.
Import/Export Restrictions
The GoB scans all bags upon arrival at Bujumbura International Airport, and airport officials frequently scrutinize the number of electronics per passenger. The importation rules for electronics and other belongings are not clear. It is not recommended to carry a large number of computers, phones, or tablets into the country. The importation of drones requires prior coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
