“A preliminary report indicates that the Sopebu records a shortage of 19 million mazout and 12 million of gasoline. Where is this fuel going? Experts in the field say that with the fuel that has come in since November 2024, we should have built up a reserve for the next 4 months. Where is all this quantity? I have implemented the digitalization of fuel distribution via the Igitoro Pass application, without which no station or consumer can receive/distribute fuel. But the first, the second boat came, but the population is still not supplied. Where do you think this fuel is disappearing to? To SOPEBU. This institution has not even been in operation for a year, and its employees are strutting around in suits and ties, pretending to be models when they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Perhaps we should be deported to Babylon as the Lord once did, to hope for salvation” – President Evariste Ndayishimiye (21-22 February 2025),
The leadership of CNDD-FDD are just showing its nakedness, as the President is blaming Société Pétroliere du Burundi (Burundi Petrol Company) after the Republic is continuing to be hit with lack of fuel and shortages of gasoline. Therefore, the Burundian President is blaming the government entity that imports, stores and distribute petroleum products.
It was only in Mid-November 2024 that the SOPEBU had to ration the usage of gasoline and fuel in the Republic. As if you had a set of registration numbers, you were pre-fixed for certain days to fuel and such. Therefore, the problematic import problems of getting enough fuel and gasoline have been going on for months. The SOPEBU wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t for the necessity.
SOPEBU was only created in February 2024 and by the troubling acts of the state is just showing by this. The creation of SOPEBU haven’t stopped the fuel shortage in the Republic. The CNDD-FDD created it by Presidential Decree. This was made by President Ndayishimiye, but that cannot handle the pressure or have enough funds to ensure the Republic gets enough fuel or gasoline.
It is just amazing that his throwing his own creation under the bus. That the President haven’t given SOPEBU time or the resources to do the right thing. The SOPEBU needs to get the facilitation and the manpower to what it has as a mandate. That’s clearly needed and the CNDD-FDD aren’t capable of doing so. They could create the organization and the agency of the state, but haven’t given it what it needs. If it did..
SOPEBU would have the ability to import and distribute the needed gasoline or fuel to the Republic. That’s what the CNDD-FDD needs to do and the President needs to be aware of what they do. Therefore, this is just attacking a part of the government and thinking people are stupid. The President has to help SOPEBU and not the other way around. SOPEBU needs the President and needs the government to give it what it needs. If SOPEBU doesn’t get that… they are not capable of doing their mandate.
That’s why the President should take some accountability… but we know he will blame others. Instead of acting himself and ensuring the SOPEBU has what it needs. Peace.
MinBane 