Bujumbura, Burundi — March 8, 2025 — The National Observatory for the Fight Against Transnational Crime (ONLCT) expressed grave concern as International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, highlighting the ongoing issue of human trafficking in Burundi. The organisation says despite the government’s efforts to create a legal framework for safe migration, criminal networks continue to exploit women and girls, undermining progress.
“While we recognize the Burundian government’s actions to ensure legal migration, traffickers have adapted by establishing new clandestine routes, putting countless lives at risk,” said Maître Prime Mbarubukeye, President and Legal Representative of ONLCT. “It is crucial for the government to take urgent measures to combat these networks.”
ONLCT’s investigations have identified two major road trafficking routes operating in Burundi. The first begins at the Kabondo market in Bujumbura, traveling south through Makamba province to reach Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa. The second route, starting in Sion in Bujumbura, heads east to Muyinga, passing through Tanzania on its way to Uganda, Kenya, and further to destinations like Thailand, Myanmar, and Iraq.
As part of its investigation, ONLCT has uncovered that at least 17 Burundian women and girls have already been trafficked to Myanmar, passing through Thailand. Additionally, 18 Burundian irregular migrants, including three women, were arrested in Bomet, Kenya, after being caught crossing the Tanzanian border without proper documentation.
“The trafficking networks are relentless, and they’re exploiting the most vulnerable members of our society. This is not only a violation of human rights but a direct threat to the future of our country,” Mbarubukeye added. “We must act now to stop this cycle.”
ONLCT has called on the Burundian government to take swift action, urging the monitoring of labor placement agencies, particularly those operating in Saudi Arabia. The group raised concerns that some agencies prioritize profits over the welfare of migrant workers, contributing to the vulnerability of women and girls. Furthermore, ONLCT urges the government to closely scrutinize travel agencies, as some have been identified as complicit in trafficking operations.
“Unless these issues are addressed, Burundi risks losing a significant portion of its active workforce, undermining its development goals outlined in Vision Burundi 2040 and Vision Burundi 2060,” said Mbarubukeye. “The electoral register and the country’s demographic stability are also at risk if the current trends continue.”
