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Democracy and Governance in Burundi
While the National Transitional Government has made progress in
restoring security in many parts of the country, sporadic fighting, population movements and economic
stagnation continue to sap morale and erode vital support for the transition process. The majority of
Burundi’s 6.8 million people suffer from insufficient access to food, basic social services and economic
opportunities. Quality of life has continued to deteriorate as the conflict destroyed infrastructure, limited
access to basic services, and reduced agricultural output. Social and economic indicators have
regressed to levels of 30 years ago. Life expectancy, which averaged 54 in 1992, has fallen to 41 years.
The infant mortality rate is 114 per 1,000, under-five mortality rate is 190 per 1,000 births, maternal
mortality is 800-1,300 per 100,000, immunization coverage rate is 48%, and the illiteracy rate is 52% with
school attendance at 48%. The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is approximately 8..3%, and there are an
estimated 230,000 AIDS orphans. Over 390,000 people are internally displaced and another 840,000
Burundians live as refugees in Tanzania. There are also 27,000 refugees in Burundi, mostly from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ever since the outbreak of the crisis in 1993, the country has been racked with violence and serious
human rights violations. These violations resulted in the imprisonment of over 8,000 people including 160
children. Approximately 90% of these people are still awaiting trial.
President Buyoya’s eighteen month presidential mandate ended on May 1, 2003, with the peaceful
transfer of power to former vice-president, Domitien Ndayizeye, for the second eighteen-month phase.
This was followed on November 2, 2003 by the signing of a political and military power-sharing protocol
with the CNDD-FDD rebel group which includes a reshuffle of the Cabinet to integrate the CNDD-FDD
into institutions, a “forces technical” agreement, transformation of the FDD into a political party,
provisional immunity, and a schedule for implementation of the agreement. This signing raises further
hopes for the peace process. However, the PALIPEHUTU- National Front for Liberation (FNL) has
remained outside the current peace process and continues fighting against both the government and the
FDD forces causing population displacements, systematic pillaging and exacting of informal tax by armed
groups.
The U.S. foremost priority in Burundi is clear: To break the cycle of civil wars and massive killings, and
reduce the threat of genocide, by supporting the Burundian peace process, democratization, and
protection of human rights. Broad U.S. goals are to combat HIV/AIDS, promote trade and investment,
foster the rule of law, support human capacity development, and encourage policy reform needed to
underpin social and economic development.
(Excerpted from the 2005 Congressional Budget Justification for Burundi)
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