Sub Saharan Africa

Burundi
Last reviewed: 15 July 2008

Country information

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POLITICS

The transitional government split power between the 2 most important political parties, UPRONA and FRODEBU. Tutsi-dominated UPRONA was the only legal party from 1974 and provided all of Burundi's post-independence Presidents until 1993. FRODEBU, a largely Hutu party, won the elections of 1993. The transitional Presidency from 2002 to 2005 was shared between UPRONA leader Pierre Buyoya and FRODEBU head Domitien Ndayizeye.

Elections in 2005 ended this bipartisan consensus. Hutu rebel groups, notably the CNDD-FDD, changed into political organisations following the end of hostilities, and won an overwhelming victory at all levels in the elections. Large numbers of Tutsi joined previously Hutu parties, and UPRONA and FRODEBU faded as electoral powers, though ethnic divisions remain politically salient. The new Government, largely comprised of former rebel leaders, faced a steep learning curve. In July 2006, a wide range of key opposition figures, including former President Ndayizeye were arrested after the authorities claimed to have uncovered a 'coup' plot. They were finally released after 5 months in detention. Then, in early 2007, the President of the CNDD-FDD was arrested and his supporters within the party removed. This split lost the CNDD-FDD their majority in the National Assembly, and the resulting paralysis of government (no significant legislation was passed between April and November 2007) has led President Nkurunziza to seek alliances with UPRONA and FRODEBU resulting in the announcement of a Government of National Unity on 14 November 2007.

BBC News Country Profile: Burundi
BBC News: Africa

HUMAN RIGHTS

The human rights situation in Burundi remains poor, with widespread abuses committed by all parties, particularly in the rural areas surrounding the capital. Tens of thousands of people remain internally displaced. Killing of civilians, reprisal killings, torture, rape, theft, illegal and arbitrary detention, and forced labour have been reported. Rape and gang rape against women, girls and boys is on the increase. The judicial system has little capacity to act in timely and impartial manner, and impunity is pervasive. The indigenous Twa (Pygmy) people remain marginalised economically, socially, and politically.

Towards the end of 2006 the media and some independent human rights NGOs became increasingly critical of the government’s activities, and faced official obstruction. Political opposition figures have reportedly been harrassed, and former CNDD-FDD Party President Radjabu remains in prison awaiting trial. A Tripartite Commission comprising the Government of Burundi, UN and Civil Society representatives has been appointed to carry out national consultations on the future of transitional justice mechanisms in Burundi to deal with the legacy of human rights abuses and impunity from the war years.

Human Rights Annual Report 2006