Les Routes de l'impossible

Burundi, high-risk resourcefulness

"Banana kamikazes" is what Burundians call the cyclists who hurtle down one of the country's most dangerous roads at nearly 70 kilometers per hour. At this speed, and laden with several bunches of bananas, their bikes are virtually unstoppable. So they slalom between heavy goods vehicles to avoid accidents, travel in groups to clear the way, and cling to the back of trailers to catch their breath on the climbs. Elsewhere, Burundians who struggle in the mines also have to contend with rutted tracks. Trucks veer into giant mud crevices. This section of track is considered a national road. In reality, it is mainly in the hands of the region's militias, who organize racketeering to finance their guerrillas.