Media giant British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) is closing down Bujumbura Bureau after failing to solve a standoff with the government, journalist Larry Madowo revealed.

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The London based media house has various Bureaus across Africa, narrowing down to individual countries. It's one of the most popular West media house in Africa.

In March this year, Bujumbura banned BBC and Voice of America jointly, accusing them of spreading propaganda about the political situation in the East Africa nation.

"The BBC is closing its Bujumbura bureau & ceasing operations in Burundi. In March, the government banned BBC transmissions & blocked journalists from providing information to the BBC. It says efforts to resolve the issues have failed. VoA was also suspended in March," Mr Madowo said.

In a statement, National Communication Authority of Burundi said all journalists were banned from sharing information with the two media houses.

"It is strictly prohibited for any Burundian journalist or foreign national who are in the country to provide, directly or indirectly, information that can be broadcast" by the BBC or the VOA, the CNC said.

But in a rejoinder, BBC condemned the actions by President Pierre Nkurunzinsa, arguing that the directive was a blow to media freedom as enshrined in various international laws.

"The unwarranted decision of the Burundi government to ban the BBC and suspend indefinitely Voice of America strikes a serious blow against media freedom, and we strongly condemn it," the BBC said in a statement.

"We believe it is vital for people around the world to have access to impartial, accurate and independent journalism, including the 1.3 million people in Burundi who currently rely on BBC news."

With the closure, hundreds of people depending on the station for information will be in a blackout. Also, dozens of journalists could be rendered redundant following the stalemate.

It is not the first time an African nation is banning BBC. Zimbabwe banned all broadcasts in 2008 with Kenya also briefly doing the same during 2007 post election violence.