Burundi

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 >>>

Bangwe et Dialogue Burundi

Bangwe et Dialogue Burundi works to build and sustain relationships that contribute to peace education, conflict resolution and the fight against gender-based violence. During the war, the organisation hosted four symposiums gathering women from Burundi, Rwanda and DR Congo to discuss the experiences and role of women in the peacebuilding process. In the field, Bangwe et [...] Read more >>>

Women’s Peace Centre

The Women’s Peace Centre works for the promotion of a democratic culture based on the protection of peace and security through increasing the power of women to bring about action. The Women’s Peace Centre started in 1996 as a project of Search For Common Ground (SFCG) Burundi. At that time it was called the ‘Peace [...] Read more >>>

RCN Justice & Démocratie

RCN Justice & Démocratie is an international NGO based in Belgium founded in September 1994, after the Rwandan genocide to contribute to guarantee respect of fundamental rights recognised by international conventions, especially the right of fair justice. RCN Justice & Démocratie works in five countries, including Burundi, the others being Rwanda, DR Congo, Haiti and [...] Read more >>>

JAMAA Association

The JAMAA Association is a non-governmental organisation initiated by the young people of Bujumbura who stood up and resisted hatred and violence in the midst of the troubled period of 1993-1996. JAMAA Association seeks to prevent conflicts, especially among youth, and support peacebuilding whilst uniting Burundian youth to work for a fair, peaceful and democratic society. [...] 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 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 >>>

From the field A period of uncertainty in Burundi

Burundians are living in fear since the announced victory of CNDD-FDD in local polls in late May; the result has been contested by the opposition, who say that the vote had been rigged. Several grenade attacks have targeted bars, residences and public areas in the recent days. It is reported that 6 people have died and more that fifty others have been injured. Read more >>>

From the field Human Rights Watch Representative Asked to Leave Burundi

The Burundian government has canceled work permit of Neela Ghoshal, Human Right Watch’s representative in Burundi and asked her to leave the country by the 5th of June. This decision follows the publication of a HRW’s report on pre-electoral violence last week describing violent clashes between rival youth wings, including the ruling party CNDD-FDD and former rebel group FNL. The report urged the government to take strong measures to combat political violence and ensure peaceful conditions in this electoral period. Read more >>>

From the field Unprecedented massive naturalization

“Historic action”, that’s how UNHCR and analysts have called the decision of Tanzanian government to grant citizenship to more that 162,000 Burundian refugees who have been living there for nearly four decades now. Read more >>>