Why Burundi has failed to reap benefits of EAC treaty

A woman cries in front of a house burned by protesters during a protest against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza and his bid for a third term in Bujumbura, Burundi, May 27, 2015. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

When I joined a group of East African journalists for a regional media tour which started at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Arusha, I had no idea of the dire situation we would find in Burundi.

We were 10 on the journey that would take us through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and end in Burundi. Three were from Kenya, another three from Uganda, one each from South Sudan and Rwanda and two from Burundi.