ABUGARAMA, Burundi (AP) – At an intersection in this small farmers’ town nestled in the misty mountains surrounding the Burundi capital, traders jostle to sell vegetables to passing motorists.
Bujumbura is only 25 miles (40 kilometers) away and yet so far, deemed unsafe to travel to by many here because of the frequent sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from the capital’s volatile neighborhoods.
Business in Bujumbura is suffering greatly as a political crisis stemming from the president’s seeking and winning a third term in office forces hundreds of thousands to flee into the countryside or to neighboring countries.
“Since the beginning of the crisis no one wants to transport the goods to Bujumbura. People are scared,” said Donatien Ndayirindire, a cabbage trader in Abugarama.
So he must sell the vegetables here at half price.