Rumonge : traders without stalls threatened with sanctions at the central market

SOS Médias Burundi

Rumonge, April 23, 2026 — Traders operating without stalls at the central market in Rumonge, the port city of Rumonge, Burunga province, in southwestern Burundi, are being targeted by local authorities and risk sanctions in the coming days if they do not comply with the regulations governing the use of commercial space.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Musafiri Ntahomvukiye, advisor to the Rumonge administrator in charge of trade, during a meeting held for the traders.

According to him, several vendors without stalls display their goods in front of other traders’ stalls, thus obstructing the aisles. The situation is considered worrying, particularly for safety reasons. “These corridors are intended, among other things, for the passage of fire trucks in case of fire. Blocking them constitutes a real danger,” he warned.

Faced with this situation, Musafiri Ntahomvukiye warned of imminent sanctions against the offenders. He also invited these traders to relocate to other markets with available spaces. “You will have to go and occupy other smaller markets like the Rwagura Super Market in Kanyenkoko or the one in Birimba, where spaces are available,” he indicated.

Among the traders concerned, the measure is met with reservations. Some believe that the central market remains an essential source of income for the district, while denouncing its lack of modernization. “We regularly pay district taxes. Instead of sending us to small private markets, the authorities should be thinking about modernizing the central market,” they argued.

Tensions between authorities and traders highlight the challenges of organizing commercial spaces in the Rumonge district, where the growth of economic activity appears to outstrip the capacity of existing infrastructure.