Bujumbura is henceforth not the political capital of Burundi. Small town of Gitega has been lately officially declared by the government as new capital and Bujumbura will be an economic capital.
Jean-Claude Karewa Ndenzako, spokesman for President Pierre Nkurunziza, officially announced the name of new capital saying the step is in line with a presidential promise that was made decade ago.
The spokesman said, “Cabinet meetings will henceforth be held in Gitega, where five ministries including agriculture, education and interior will also be established from the start of 2019.”
The parliament is yet to approve the new decision of the government about Gitega and it is believed speedy passage will be given by the members of parliament as the house is dominated by the ruling party.
Bujumbura has a population of about 1.2 million while Gitega has just 30,000 people living.
The positioning of Gitega is one of the reasons why the state has been chosen as the new political capital. The former capital is located in the northeast of Burundi.
Moreover, Gitega was also once capital of the Burundian monarchy.
Critics meanwhile argue Gitega is not ready to become political capital of Burundi as it lacks basic structure and amenities.
China had earlier built presidential palace in Bujumbura at the cost of $20 million and critics are questioning what will happen to the property after Gitega becomes the capital.
Similar step was seen in Nigeria earlier when the country moved capital from Lagos to Abuja. In Tanzania president John Magufuli declared Dodoma as the new political capital of the country.
