Gitega Central Market Closes at 4 p.m. Amid Tensions Over Restrictions

At around 4 p.m., a frenzy takes over the stalls of Gitega Central Market. Traders hurriedly pack up their goods, quickly close their stalls, and the sound of padlocks can be heard as they comply with the instructions without protest. From 5 p.m. onward, complete silence reigns inside the market.

Around the market building, barriers have been erected to create a fire-prevention security cordon.

On the ground, however, enforcement of the directive has sparked strong protests once people move a few hundred metres away from the main building. In the surrounding streets, owners of shops, warehouses, storage facilities and bars are increasingly frustrated.

Although their businesses are located outside the main market compound, these economic operators are subject to the same working-hour restrictions. They consider the measure excessive and economically unsustainable.

“We are being treated as if we were inside the central market,” complained the manager of a bar, speaking on condition of anonymity.

According to him, regulations preventing them from opening their bars before noon were already putting them under severe pressure. They now wonder when they are supposed to operate if they are also required to close at 5 p.m.

“It is precisely in the late afternoon that customers come in after finishing their workday. With high rents and mounting expenses, our businesses are slowly dying,” added his colleague, who sells banana beer.

For these traders, the resulting loss of income is therefore enormous.

Neighborhoods Held Hostage

Beyond the commercial impact, the security measures are disrupting daily life across the city.

Surrounded by several major roads leading to the residential neighborhoods of Nyabisindu and Shatanya III, the market has become a difficult obstacle to navigate after nightfall. Residents returning from work regularly encounter police roadblocks.

As a result, they are forced to take detours. The conduct of some officers deployed at the checkpoints has also generated deep resentment among residents.

Witnesses report what they describe as excessive enforcement that sometimes turns into brutality.

“Getting home in the evening has become an obstacle course,” said a resident of Nyabisindu.

He explained that people can be accused of trying to approach the market simply for using a familiar street near the market grounds. There are also allegations of arbitrary fines, pushing and shoving, and even cases in which people have allegedly been deprived of their money or arrested without a clear reason.

The Wall of Silence

Amid these alleged abuses, the social climate remains tense.

Despite the losses reportedly suffered by traders and the abuses being discussed privately, no official complaints have yet been filed by the alleged victims. This caution is reportedly driven by fears of facing direct judicial or security repercussions.

“No one dares to file a complaint or speak out to the authorities. We fear being labelled as criminals or accomplices who might be trying to set the market on fire. So everyone remains silent and suffers in silence,” said a trader in the area.

We were unable to obtain a response from the local administration or the police regarding the concerns and allegations raised by traders and residents.