The central African country -Burundi -is facing the challenge of phenomenal increase in foreign currency black market. A recent clamp down on the anti-social elements led to arrest of some 40 people. The government is determined to continue the crack down on the people illegally holding foreign currencies and selling at the black market making a huge margin. Burundi has been in the midst of a currency crisis ever since the foreign aid was frozen in 2016, after President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a third term despite protests from opponents who accused him of violating the terms of a deal that ended a civil war. The dollar fetches about 2,900 Burundian francs on the streets of the capital Bujumbura, almost double the official rate of 1,876. The reserves in the first quarter of the year covered only three weeks of imports. More recent figures are not available. Importers of essential goods, such as fuel and fertilizers can buy dollar from the market, which is also scarce in supply. The business community maintains that many businesses are unable to import merchandise and soon they would be puling down the shutters, if the situation continues. Though the government sources claim that the situation would be brought under control soon, on the ground there seems to be no respite in that.
