Burundi Market Women Go Semi-naked To Protest Seizure of Goods

This unusual scene took place at a market in the
Burundi capital, Bujumbura, as officers seized wrap
cloths imported illegally. The women, who are all stall
holders, spontaneously decided to bare all in protest.
In Burundi, as in many countries in Africa, wrap cloths or
"pagnes" are an integral part of the country's heritage.
Today, most of the cloths are imported from the
neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo where
prices are lower there.
In Bujumbura, the "pagnes" have been sold at markets
by "mama vendors" for generations. But at the Chez
Siyoni market on September 27, all stock was seized
because authorities say the stallholders had not paid
import taxes on the cloths.
When contacted by FRANCE 24, a spokesperson from
the Burundi Revenue Authority said the operation "was
carried out as part of the fight against fraud. All customs
officers can, according to the law, carry out a search if
there is serious information on the existence of
fraudulent merchandise. It happens that in Burundi,
"pagnes" are never declared even though the markets
are filled with them, and it's one of the most sold
products. Surprising, isn't it?"
The spokesperson added: "The tax on "pagnes" is there
for the benefit of the local economy. Given that it's a
massively-imported merchandise, we tax it more than
other items.



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