Burundi has declared the small central city of Gitega the country’s new political capital, in line with the presidential promise.
A government spokesman stated 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,” Jean-Claude Karerwa Ndenzako, spokesman for President Pierre Nkurunziza said in a tweet.
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 accuses Nkurunziza of attempting a symbolic restoration. Bujumbura is today considered an opposition stronghold where the president spends less and less time.
Political activists within the country believe that Gitega is not ready to assume the mantle as capital of the state.
“There are practically no offices to let, few hotels or restaurants – it’s an irrational decision,” one said of the move much derided on social media.
In addition, China only recently constructed a $20 million presidential palace in Bujumbura.
