USAID/OTI Burundi Field Report
December 2004
Program Description
The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the ongoing peace process in Burundi as out-lined in the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement (APRA) by strengthening local capacities to benefit from and contribute to the peace process. PADCO, Inc., the Woodrow Wilson In-ternational Center for Scholars (WWICS) and the national NGO African Strategic Impact (ASI) implement OTI’s Community-based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative (CPRI) and manage CPRI’s field offices in the provinces of Gitega and Ruyigi. Through CPRI’s four components: the Community-based Leadership Program (CBLP), vocational skills training (VST), community initiatives and media, the four organizations strengthen local-level cooperation for conflict mitigation, help diverse groups generate non-farm income, and increase knowledge and participation in public dialogue on current issues. The four organizations work closely with community groups, government entities, media outlets, NGOs, international organizations and other USAID offices to maximize the positive outcomes of their efforts. Since February 2004, OTI has invested $3,605,917 in these activities through 157 small grants.
Country Situation
United Nations Extends Mission in Burundi – On December 1, the U.N. Security Council extended the mandate of the U.N. Operation in Burundi (ONUB) for six months, until June 1, 2005. Council members noted that the resolution not only extended ONUB's mandate, but also sent an important message particularly to the last rebel faction to remain outside the peace process, the Palipehutu-Forces for National Liberation (FNL) of Agathon Rwasa that the cycle of human rights atrocities and impunity in the region must end.
Post-transition Constitutional Referendum Postponed for Third Time – The transitional government of Burundi (TGoB) postponed for a third time a national referendum on the draft post-transition constitution until a future date that has not yet been determined. The referendum was initially scheduled for October 20, and was previously delayed until November 26 and then until December 22. The president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) cited technical problems: a delay in the delivery of ballot boxes, polling booths and indelible ink. In addition, voters’ lists, which had not yet been finalized, needed to be posted publicly for a required period of fifteen days before the referendum. The TGoB launched a nationwide information campaign on the draft constitution on December 10.
National Voter Registration Tabulated – According to CENI and the United Nations, more than 80 percent of voting-aged Burundians registered during the November census. Provincial authorities in CPRI’s two target provinces cited a total of 269,253 people registered in Gitega and 140,380 people registered in Ruyigi. Observers noted an increase in turnout following an information campaign launched by the CENI. During the registration period, CPRI staff encouraged beneficiary populations to register and assisted in the transport of materials to registration sites in Gitega and Ruyigi.
Demobilization Centers Open – On December 2, President Ndayizeye and U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary General Carolyn McAskie participated in opening ceremonies on December 2 at a demobilization center in Muramvya province where weapons were symbolically burned. On December 10, officials from UNOB and UNICEF, the agency responsible for supporting demobilized child soldiers, representatives from the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission for the Demobilization, Reinsertion and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants and the Governor of Gitega attended opening ceremonies at the Gitega demobilization center. The center currently hosts de-mobilized child soldiers and will, in the future, host ex-combatants from the military and former rebel movements.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
In December, CPRI approved 21 grants totaling $531,547. During this month, the CPRI team disseminated information on the upcoming constitutional referendum and the electoral process. Recognizing that CPRI is contributing to the peace process at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Mobilization for Peace and Reconciliation donated to CPRI staff 4,000 booklets on the APRA for distribution to community members and leaders in Gitega and Ruyigi.
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| In Gitega, Giheta secondary school youth play drums given to the community by CPRI. |
On December 1, a delegation from USAID in Washington and the U.S. Embassy and USAID offices in Burundi visited Gitega to observe USAID-supported activities. They toured an OFDA-funded clinic that provides counseling, care and support to people with HIV/AIDS. In Giheta commune, they spoke with students at the CPRI-supported Giheta Vocational Skills Training school, whose students include repatriates, internally displaced persons (IDPs), ex-combatants, child soldiers and ex-militia members, youth and undereducated individuals. As part of the Giheta Youth Initiative, youth from diverse population segments performed for the visitors and explained how the initiatives has given them a forum in which to exchange ideas and information and to engage in sporting or cultural activities. Afterwards, delegation members participated in a follow-up meeting for trained civil society leaders led by a Master Trainer working in CPRI’s Community-based Leadership Program (CBLP) component. Trainees told the visitors how they applied skills learned in CBLP trainings to resolve conflicts within their communities.
During the week of December 6, following on CPRI’s initiatial stakeholder assessment undertaken in May, the CPRI team conducted a second stakeholder assessment in all eighteen prov-inces of Gitega and Ruyigi. Teams facilitated discussions with host communities, IDPs and repatriates, youth, women, heads of local associations and other civil society leaders. Teams solicited people’s opinions on the political transition, the upcoming post-transition constitutional referendum and elections, leadership, reconciliation and reintegration. During the assessment, teams distributed summaries of the draft post-transition constitution.
CPRI staff also asked people for their perceptions of CPRI activities. Preliminary feedback indicates that CPRI-partner Burundi National Radio and Television (RTNB) is increasingly perceived as a balanced source of information, while CPRI-partner RSF Bonesha FM’s national coverage is hampered by a lack of adequate transmitters, the installation of which will take place in coming months. At a program-wide workshop on December 16, CPRI staff discussed how feedback from beneficiary populations can inform CPRI’s strategy and activities. The OTI/Burundi Country Representative and CBLP Coordinator met with the Governor of Ruyigi to discuss concerns regarding the electoral process raised by community members during the stake-holder assessment. Specifically, community members requested information about the post-transition constitution. The Governor stated that provincial authorities would participate in a campaign to disseminate information on the constitution and the electoral process.
In December, the VST team reinforced staff’s technical capacities and prepared for the second session of VST schools scheduled to begin in January 2005. Staff members from all eight VST schools in Gitega and Ruyigi came together to review curricula and conduct a self-evaluation. During the refresher training, CPRI recognized seven skills trainers for excellence in course preparation. Trainers also prepared work plans for the second cycle of courses and designed start-up kits for associations of graduates who will be eligible to apply for a one-time support from CPRI. In December, CPRI also opened enrollment for the second session of VST schools in Gitega.
CPRI-supported Bwagariza Vocational Skills Training school in Butezi commune, Ruyigi, organized the first community steering committee. Following recommendations given by a VST consultant in August 2004, CPRI will help communities establish committees to oversee the management of VST schools. Committees will also promote the schools as viable economic entities by identifying and developing market opportunities for school products and services.
B. Grant Activity Summary
C. Indicators of Success
In December, the Community-based Leadership Program (CBLP) Master Trainer deployed in Buraza commune, Gitega, called on the training he had received to save a community member’s life. Rumors that members of one ethnic group are injecting members of another with deadly poison or using sorcery are gaining strength again as elections near. In this case, the Master Trainer used conflict mitigation skills to save a person who was wrongfully accused by fellow community members of poisoning someone of a different ethnic group. This is one of many successful reconciliation efforts that CBLP Master Trainers are reporting during this time of increased distrust between Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi. In August, a Hutu participant in a CBLP training in Butezi commune, Ruyigi, used his conflict mitigation skills to diffuse a rumor that a Tutsi from a nearby IDP camp had poisoned his Hutu neighbors.
Ex-combatants enrolled in CPRI-supported VST schools have provided powerful testimonies to the impact of CPRI’s programming on their lives. One former rebel thanked CPRI for supporting the VST school in which he is enrolled, explaining, that he is not only learning a technical skill, but also how to reconcile with his neighbors. Specifically, he thanked the facilitator for Business, Numeracy and Literacy (BNL) courses for encouraging students who were divided during the war to become friends and to learn from one another. Another ex-rebel added, “The BNL and CBLP courses helped me a lot to the point that I approach ex-combatants as brothers and not as enemies. We converse without problems and we are no longer afraid of each other. I have become patient, tolerant, cooperative and flexible – contrary to what I was before.”
D. Program Appraisal
In December, OTI participated in a review of USAID’s Interim Strategic Plan in Burundi. During this review, participants discussed how USAID can best support the outcome of the upcoming elections and establishment of a new government in Burundi. They also discussed further strengthening linkages among USAID’s various activities in the country.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
In January, CPRI will enroll students for the second session of VST schools in Ruyigi. CPRI targets students from diverse population segments in order to encourage reconciliation.
CPRI will also undertake its program midterm review. This will be an opportunity for CPRI to ensure that its activities continue to respond effectively to political changes in Burundi.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Carlisle J. Levine, Program Manager at 202-712-0955 or clevine@usaid.gov
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