Burundi

Burundi’s portion of the Nile Basin (some 60% of the country) currently faces a number of environmental problems. These include high rates of population growth, deepening poverty and dependence on rainfed agriculture. Together these precipitate problems of food insecurity, particularly in the north of the country where development challenges include overgrazing, poor crop cultivation practices, removal of vegetation cover and uncontrolled erosion along the lake shores and river banks. Massive deforestation caused by the demands of households and communities for fuel and lack of political will have aggravated the problems. In these circumstances, there is strong need to sensitize all stakeholders about the challenge facing Nile basin development processes.

Objectives

The overall objectives of BNDF are as stated in the Constitution adopted on October 3rd 2003.

The Burundi NDF seeks to influence the development of projects and process under the NBI by promoting the dissemination and exchange of information on current and potential developments under the NBI. Ultimately the BNDF will contribute to the maximisation of social, economic and environmental benefits from the sustainable and equitable use of the Nile water resources with a view to reducing poverty in the Nile region.

About Burundi's Nile Discourse Forum

The Burundi National Discourse Forum (BNDF) was created on October 3rd 2003 by 70 members drawn primarily from local NGOs operating in the Burundi Nile basin region. The General Assembly which created the BNDF appointed a 15-member Executive Committee which selected Dr. Bikwemu Gaspard as Chairperson. The NDF Executive Committee appointed Dr. Bikwemu Gaspard, Ms Esperance Ntiranyibagira and Mr. Salvator Matata as the three representatives of the BNDF to the NDB General Assembly, which was held in December 2003.

When the NBD was prevented from continuing due to lack of finance, the Burundi NDF had been on the point of submitting a Charter of Registration to the Ministry of Home Affairs of Burundi. Thanks to new funding, activities restarted at the end of 2005. During the December 2005 meeting of the BNDF, a Mr Salvator Matata was appointed new representative of the of BNDF to the NBD-SC and Emmanuel Nshimirimana was recruited as project coordinator. At the same meeting REIE/Burundi (a local NGO involved in environmental impact assessment) was selected as the Country Coordinating Institution (CCI) and a work plan was agreed.

Contact Burundi NDF

Albert Mbonerane
Burundi Nile Discourse Forum,
Rohero I Avenue del’Amitie No.27,
P.O.Box 6353,
Bujumbura, Burundi

Tel: +257 22 255686
Email: fcbn06@yahoo.fr