Democracy and Governance in Burundi
The Development Challenge: Ethnically based political parties have competed for power since independence in 1962 with many violent outbreaks. Since the assassination of the first democratically elected Hutu president in 1993, conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 people, and over a million more are internally displaced or refugees in Tanzania. After the landmark Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Accord of August 2000, a three-year transitional government took office on November 1, 2001, and was scheduled to end on October 31, 2004. Burundi's political parties were unable to reach consensus on a post-transitional constitutional framework for power-sharing in time to hold democratic elections by October 31, 2004. The Burundian Parliament agreed to extend the transition until April 2005 when local and national elections should be completed. The only remaining rebel group not to sign a cease-fire with the government, the National Liberation Front (FNL), continues to fight government troops and the Forces for the Defense of Democracy in Bujumbura. In spite of its challenges, the transitional government continues preparing for democratic elections which many hope will set Burundi on the path to peace and stability.
Any sustainable peace will have to address the lack of economic opportunities. There is an urgent need for job creation and long-term economic growth. Sustainable peace will depend on a shift in attitudes and behaviors of the political elites who have controlled and benefited from the limited economic resources. The history of Burundi has been characterized by access to power through military coups; therefore, support to the disarmament, demobilization, reinsertion, and reintegration process and to security sector reform is critical to prevent destabilization. The peace process should be strengthened by dialogue between ordinary citizens and the Government of Burundi (GOB). The GOB must hold individuals accountable for crimes both past and present. The culture of impunity is a serious threat to the peace process.
Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 173 out of 177 on the 2004 United Nations Development Program's Human Development Index. In 2003 the gross national product (GNP) per capita fell to $87, only 53% of the 1999 GNP. More than 58% of the population is estimated to live below the poverty threshold, and 69% of the population suffers from malnutrition. For 2002, UNICEF reported life expectancy at birth had dropped to 41 years, from 54 years in 1992. Infant mortality is 114 per 1,000, under five mortality is 190 per 1,000, and maternal mortality is 1,000 per 100,000. Forty-five percent of children under age five are moderately or severely underweight. In 2003, UNICEF reported that 25,000 Burundians died from AIDS, 390,000 Burundians were living with AIDS and 237,000 children under the age of 14 were orphaned by AIDS. The 2004 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic reported a prevalence rate of 6% in Burundi.
The conflict in Burundi has led to serious violations of children's rights, including the recruitment of 7,000 children into armed groups; rape; child prostitution; exploitation of 645,000 working children; orphaning of 620,000 children; exposure to landmines; and permanent internal displacement of 281,000 people, with another 120,000 people displaced temporarily each month. Sexual and gender-based violence has also increased as a result of the war.
Population growth, which is estimated at 3%, is putting increasing pressure on limited land resources with no corresponding increase in off-farm employment. Fifty-five percent of the population is under the age of 18 years. With increasing stability, the 650,000 Burundian refugees living in Tanzania will likely return and will have to be reintegrated into the society and the economy.
The most significant U.S. national interest in Burundi lies in achieving an enduring and just peace, accompanied by broad-based economic growth based on democratic principles. This will strengthen regional stability and democratic systems in the Great Lakes region. The United States supports efforts to create an environment that facilitates the protection of human rights, prevents a resumption of mass killing and relieves human suffering. The United States continues to encourage the government to institute needed economic and financial reforms.
The USAID Program: The USAID program in Burundi is an integrated set of activities supporting three strategic objectives, implemented by more than 18 different NGO and UN partners. Program activities strengthen democracy, governance and conflict mitigation; provide humanitarian relief with food aid and non-food item distribution; enhance food and livelihood security; and provide access to basic health services and HIV/AIDS care and prevention. USAID is providing technical expertise and material and logistical support for the 2005 electoral process in Burundi, supporting victims of torture, promoting peace and reconciliation, good governance, unbiased media and strengthening civil society. USAID is assisting the University of Ngozi to investigate land conflict-related issues. USAID funding to the World Health Organization provides support for epidemic surveillance and response, and polio eradication.
(Excerpted from the 2006 Congressional Budget Justification for Burundi)
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