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Rebuilding peace and state capacity in war‐torn Burundi

2004; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 93; Issue: 375 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0035853042000240021

1474-029X

Howard Wolpe, Steve McDonald, Eugene Nindorera, Elizabeth McClintock, Alain Lempereur, Fabien Nsengimana, Nicole Rumeau, Alli Blair,

Global Political and Social Dynamics

Abstract Burundi is a small country, no larger than the state of Maryland, with a population numbering just over six million. But the dimensions of its human tragedy are anything but diminutive: a genocide in 1972; repeated episodes of intercommunal violence. Since its independence in 1962, Burundi has witnessed an estimated 300 000 killed, some 800 000 forced to flee the country, over 700 000 more internally displaced. In November 2003 37 military commanders from the Burundian army and rebel groups took part in a leadership workshop designed to create a newly unified national army. The workshop was one aspect of the Burundi Leadership Training Program, which aims to build capacity by offering training in collaborative decision making for Burundian leaders drawn from all social and institutional sectors. Keywords: capacity‐buildingBurundiconflict resolutionpeace‐buildingpost‐war reconstructionreconciliation Notes * This article is a collective work‐product, reflecting the experience and insights of all who have been involved in shaping the Burundi Leadership Training Program (BLTP): Howard Wolpe, Director of the Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, former Chair, House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa and former Special Envoy, Africa's Great Lakes Region; Steve McDonald, former Foreign Service Officer and former Executive Vice‐president, African American Institute; Eugene Nindorera, former Burundian Minister of Human Rights and former Director of Burundi Office of the National Democratic Institute; Elizabeth McClintock, Senior Associate, Conflict Management Group; Alain Lempereur, Director, ESSEC Institute for Research and Education on Negotiation in Europe; Fabien Nsengimana, former teacher and former staff member, Office of the Presidency; Nicole Rumeau, Africa Program Associate, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; and Alli Blair, former Burundi Program Officer, World Vision. Correspondence Address: Howard Wolpe, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004‐3027, USA. Email: WolpeHE@wwic.si.edu Correspondence Address: Howard Wolpe, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004‐3027, USA. Email: WolpeHE@wwic.si.edu It is important to note that, while Hutu and Tutsi were distinct ethnic categories in pre‐colonial (and colonial) Burundi, the political mobilization of Burundians on the basis of their 'Hutu' and 'Tutsi' ethnic identities is not rooted in tradition. Rather, the Hutu/Tutsi political confrontation is a recent phenomenon, born of post‐independence elite competition for political position and scarce economic resources. BLTP Consultant Eugene Nindorera observes that the basic problem in Burundi is not ethnicity, but fear: "When the issue of fear is overcome and people realize they can work and live together, then the issue of ethnicity drops away." As an example, he points to the northern Burundian town of Ngozi, which has been stable and economically progressive for several years. Ethnicity there, he notes, is not a problem because the leadership has concentrated on economic development and competent administration regardless of ethnic backgrounds. "When work is done correctly no one asks who is Hutu/Tutsi, who is north/south. People only look at good governance, respect for the rule of law, and building trust." As of this writing, BLTP working‐groups have been organized around the following initiatives: 1) a pilot project in two provinces that would provide training in conflict resolution techniques and community development strategies for local leaders; 2) a fisheries cooperative initiative that is seen as a means of reintegrating ex‐combatants and of upgrading the technology, skills and capacities of traditional fishing communities; 3) a project to provide essential services to Burundian street children; 4) a programme to strengthen the networking capabilities of BLTP participants; 5) a project directed at making government more transparent and accountable; 6) a project making books and computers available for students and young professionals; 7) an initiative exploring the application of solar energy to rural development. Additional informationNotes on contributorsHoward Wolpe Footnote * This article is a collective work‐product, reflecting the experience and insights of all who have been involved in shaping the Burundi Leadership Training Program (BLTP): Howard Wolpe, Director of the Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, former Chair, House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa and former Special Envoy, Africa's Great Lakes Region; Steve McDonald, former Foreign Service Officer and former Executive Vice‐president, African American Institute; Eugene Nindorera, former Burundian Minister of Human Rights and former Director of Burundi Office of the National Democratic Institute; Elizabeth McClintock, Senior Associate, Conflict Management Group; Alain Lempereur, Director, ESSEC Institute for Research and Education on Negotiation in Europe; Fabien Nsengimana, former teacher and former staff member, Office of the Presidency; Nicole Rumeau, Africa Program Associate, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; and Alli Blair, former Burundi Program Officer, World Vision. Correspondence Address: Howard Wolpe, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004‐3027, USA. Email: WolpeHE@wwic.si.edu