Burundi
In Burundi, we have been supporting the peaceful cohabitation of the population, with a specific focus on women and young people from various groups affected by recurring political and other contemporary conflicts.
Our programmes contribute to consolidating peace and equitable development in Burundian society. We continue to support groups most affected by political violence and its consequences and use dialogue to build trust and understanding between them. We facilitate dialogue sessions between citizens and authorities, working with local authorities on rural development to ensure fair growth and reduce the risk of conflicts. Additionally, we engage governments at local and regional levels to address gender and conflict issues that could hamper cross-border trade, a vital source of income for women and their families.
Conflict context
Burundi has been troubled by repeated outbreaks of political violence, mainly fought along ethnic lines, since the country’s independence in 1962.
Two significant events in late April 1972 sparked the first mass killings, followed by a series of coups until 1993, when the first democratically elected president took power. However, he was soon assassinated, leading to a full-scale civil war that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive displacement of people, both internally and as refugees in neighboring countries. This conflict also severely damaged the country’s social fabric, creating deep distrust among people of different ethnicities.
In 2005, a transitional government was established, bringing about a decade of relative peace until 2015, when political turmoil led to violence and a refugee crisis.
Today, dialogue about nonviolent political activism and reconciliation remains critical to Burundi’s efforts to build long-term and sustainable peace.