Burundi.

From the field Burundi: Radicalization of the post-election crisis

The attack in Gatumba village, Burundi, on 18 September which led to 39 deaths and more than 30 wounded was unanimously condemned. Its scale provoked a strong reaction by the government which set up a commission of inquiry on 21 September to shed light on the carnage within a month. A total media blackout on investigations was imposed as, despite some protests, the press opted to respect the work of the inquiry. Read more >>>

Commentary Burundi: Escalating violence threatens transitional justice

In its long, bloody history of violence since achieving independence in 1962, Burundi has witnessed several watershed moments. Potentially it now faces its latest. The Gatumba massacre on 18 September 2011 demonstrates the unresolved problems simmering beneath the surface and that threaten to completely derail attempts to consolidate ‘peace’ and finally implement transitional justice. How Burundi deals with this latest round of violence, together with its commitment to genuine transitional justice, are crucial to finally addressing impunity after decades of violence. Read more >>>

Commentary Local perspectives on memorialisation after violence

To the uninformed outsider there are no visible signs of what occurred in 1996. Deep in the interior of Bubanza province, north-western Burundi, the thick vegetation and rolling hillsides bear no obvious scars of violence or international crimes. Yet the people whose lives continue to be affected after more than fifteen years recall the events with vivid lucidity. The memory of one morning of violence that left more than 300 people massacred at the hands of the army has become the very thing that defines many hardships of the present, even (remarkably) for those not witness to the bloodshed. For the people of this tiny village, memory and the way it is dealt with is both a window to the past and a door to the future. Read more >>>

From the field Burundi: From contested polls to increased insecurity

Every week in Burundi, some 20 people die in political killings. The hit rate is worst in Bujumbura-Rural, a province surrounding the capital city, where political violence and targeted assassinations have grown in the months since the disputed elections of 2010. Read more >>>

Commentary Understanding the local dynamics of security

Why should we get local actors involved in conflict and complex security issues? Are they capable of dealing with large-scale insecurity, violent conflicts and oppressive regimes? Is the state not responsible for security, and is it not up to state security actors to provide security? And if these states are not willing or able to provide security, are international organisations such as the UN, NATO and the like not the most capable of dealing with insecurity in states? Based on my recent research in Sudan, Burundi and DR Congo, I would argue that this is not necessarily so. Read more >>>

From the field From dictatorships to democratic hopes in Africa

Landry Ninteretse, Insight on Conflict’s local correspondent in Burundi, reflects on this years World Social Forum in Dakar. Democratic aspirations and peacebuiling issues were at the forefront of discussions given the recent events in the Middle East, and Landry asks what lessons local peacebuilders can share. Read more >>>

From the field Peace and democratic aspirations at the World Social Forum

After Bamako and Nairobi, the 11th edition of the World Social Forum (WSF) is back in Africa, hosted in Senegalese capital city Dakar where around 50.000 activists from around the world are expected to meet, reflect and debate, under the slogan “Another World Is Possible”. Landry Ninteretse, our Burundi Local Correspondent is attending and will be reporting on the most interesting new developments for peace movements. Read more >>>

From the field Burundi: When violence Threatens a Fragile Democratic Process

The unrest and political violences that have during the electoral period in Burundi has transformed into a more complex situation characterized by barbaric killings and rumors of a fresh rebellion. Only in September, bodies of at least 40 people have been found in swamps of Rukoko and Rusizi, 20 km north-west from Bujumbura. Those who have perpetrated such crimes haven’t yet been clearly identified; police says armed bandits are responsible of such attacks while local residents in Rukoko and Gihanga in Bubanza province confirmed the existence of a well-organised group with new uniform and guns operating in this area close to the border with DR Congo. Read more >>>

From the field Confused Political Situation in Burundi

Armand Giramahro, from the Amahoro Youth Club in Burundi, has provided the following update on the situation in his country: Read more >>>

From the field Struggling for peace in a troubled context

Kamenge Youth Centre continues to play a key role in reconciliation and home rebuilding in the five northern communes of Bujumbura by organizing habitual work camps which gather thousands of participants. This year however, things were not easy for a number of reasons. Firstly, the prolonged strike in public secondary schools has disorganized academic schedules and meant that many students were not available to fully take part in the work camp activities. Secondly, the political and security tensions surrounding the contested communal election results led to grenade attacks in Bujumbura and other provinces, provoking terror and fear amongst the population. Thirdly, a lack of funding caused delay to the start of the camp. Read more >>>