Burundi: ensuring credible elections – new ICG report (12.02.2010)

(Quelle: International Crisis Group)

“Burundi: Ensuring Credible Elections“, the new report from the International Crisis Group, examines the rise in tensions before communal, presidential, legislative and additional local elections that are to be conducted separately between May and September.

Political parties in Burundi agree to dialogue (11.02.2010)

(Quelle: Reliefweb)

A significant step in the consolidation of Burundian democracy was taken on 4 February, when political parties signed an agreement for the establishment of a permanent dialogue forum.

UN helps distribute free identity cards for next May’s polls (29.12.2009)

(Quelle: UN News)

One million Burundians old enough to vote next May will receive a free national identity card, thanks to a campaign supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other agencies.

Security Council extends UN Mission (17.12.2009)

(Quelle: allAfrica)

The Security Council today extended for another year the United Nations political mission in Burundi, calling for full support for next year's elections in the war-scarred African country while voicing concern at continuing human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, restrictions on civil liberties and political violence.

Worrying split among former Burundi rebels (03.12.2009)

(Quelle: Irinnews)

Months after transforming itself from a rebel movement into a political party, Burundi's Forces nationales de la liberation (FNL), is embroiled in a leadership wrangle that analysts warn could jeopardize the country's fragile peace.

Burundians hand in thousands of weapons (04.11.2009)

(Quelle: Irinnews)

Civilians across Burundi have handed in thousands of guns, grenades and rounds of ammunition during a 10-day voluntary disarmament campaign. … Under a decree issued by President Pierre Nkurunziza in August 2009, an amnesty was granted to anyone who surrendered their weapons before the end of October.

Burundi pledges at UN to step up support to ensure elections are peaceful (26.09.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Burundi's Government is committed to ensuring that highly awaited presidential, parliamentary and local polls scheduled for next year take place peacefully and successfully, and will step up support to election authorities so it can achieve that goal, the country's Second Vice-President told the General Assembly today.

UNDP to support Burundi elections (22.09.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

UNDP is to manage a USD44 million basket fund to support Burundi's 2010 election process, sealing the country's transition to peace.

Congolese refugees too scared to move camp (10.09.2009)

(Quelle: allAfrica / International)

More than 2,000 refugees in Burundi have rejected UN appeals to move to a new camp for fear they could be exposed to attack. The refugees, from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Banyamulenge community, are housed in a camp in Gihinga, in Burundi's central Mwaro province.

Burundi government blocks election commission funds: officials (09.09.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

The Burundi government has stopped funding the country's electoral commission in a dispute over its activities ahead of national elections next year, officials said Wednesday.

Burundi MPs fail to agree on election rules (31.08.2009)

(Quelle: Independent Online / South Africa)

Burundi's parliament failed to adopt an electoral code bill and went into recess on Monday, a day after foreign envoys expressed concern at delays over the key piece of legislation.

Le Burundi annonce la fin de son programme DDR (10.08.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

Le Burundi a annoncé, lundi, la clôture définitive de son programme de Désarmement, démobilisation et réinsertion (DDR), à l'issue de cérémonies officielles de retour à la vie civile d'un groupe de 576 ex-combattants des Forces pour la libération nationale (FNL, dernier mouvement rebelle du pays).

South African troops to be withdrawn from country (30.07.2009)

(Quelle: allAfrica / International)

South African troops will be formally withdrawn from a peacekeeping mission in Burundi next Saturday.

La Suisse préside une commission de l'ONU pour la paix au Burundi (15.07.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

L'ambassadeur de Suisse auprès de l'ONU Peter Maurer a entamé son nouveau mandat de président de la commission onusienne de consolidation pour la paix au Burundi. Il s'est exprimé lundi devant l'assemblée générale de l'ONU à New York.

Consultations populaires sur la justice transitionnelle au Burundi (14.07.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

La Commission nationale pour la vérité et la réconciliation (CVR) a lancé, mardi, une campagne visant à recueillir les avis de différentes catégories de la population sur la forme de justice à instaurer dans le pays pour recoudre le tissu social qui a été déchiré par plusieurs années de crise socio- politique au Burundi, apprend-on de source officielle à Bujumbura. La CVR est prévue par l'accord d'août 2000 à Arusha, en Tanzanie, sur la paix et la réconciliation au Burundi.

Peace in Burundi means most of South Africa’s 1,100 troops there can return home (29.06.2009)

(Quelle: allAfrica / International)

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is poised to withdraw from Burundi at the end of the month as it appears peace is holding in that country. The chief of the SANDF's Joint Operations Division, Lt-Gen Themba Matanzima, whose unit is responsible for planning military operations, said the mandate in Burundi was due to end tomorrow. The South African government may still decide to extend the mission, but plans were on course for the withdrawal of most of the 1100 soldiers.

300.000 dollars US disponibles pour les élections de 2010 au Burundi (22.06.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

La Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI) du Burundi ne peut compter, pour le moment, que sur un maigre budget de 300 millions de francs burundais (environ 300.000 dollars US) pour préparer et organiser au moins six scrutins à l'horizon 2010, apprend-on de source officielle à Bujumbura. Le gouvernement burundais sollicite, à cet effet, des aides extérieures pour compléter le montant.

Security Council hears of progress in peace process, upcoming elections (09.06.2009)

(Quelle: UN News / International)

Significant strides have been taken in Burundi in implementing its ceasefire accord and laying the foundations for next year’s presidential election, the United Nations top envoy to the impoverished African nation said today. The Government and the Palipehutu-FNL – the last major rebel hold-outs after the end of the brutal civil war between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority – took a decisive step forward in April when the FNL formally disarmed and registered as a political party, Youssef Mahmoud, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi, told the Security Council.

Réinsertion socioprofessionnelle d'ex-chefs rebelles burundais (05.06.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

Une dizaine de hauts cadres des Forces nationales de libération (FNL, ex-rébellion du Burundi) ont été affectés, vendredi, dans différents postes de responsabilité dans le cadre de la mise en application effective d'un accord global de cessez-le-feu conclu avec le pouvoir central, a-t-on appris de source officielle à Bujumbura. Le leader historique du denier mouvement rebelle burundais, Agathon Rwasa, a hérité du juteux poste de directeur général de l'Institut national de sécurité sociale (INSS) au terme d'un décret du chef de l'Etat, Pierre Nkurunziza.

End political violence, repression – attacks by ruling party and former rebels threaten 2010 elections (03.06.2009)

(Quelle: allAfrica / International)

The government of Burundi should take urgent measures to end politically motivated killings, assaults, and arbitrary arrests, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Political violence and repression - which continue despite progress in peace talks between the government and the former rebel group, Forces of National Liberation (FNL) - limit peaceful dissent and threaten the integrity of presidential, parliamentary, and local elections scheduled for 2010.

Fin de la facilitation du processus de paix au Burundi (01.06.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

Une réunion de remise et reprise entre la Facilitation du processus de paix au Burundi et la Représentation de l'Union africaine (UA) s'est tenue samedi à Bujumbura dans les locaux de la Commission nationale de démobilisation, de réintégration et de réinsertion (CNDRR) des ex-combattants, a-t-on constaté sur place.

New peace structure to bolster stability (29.05.2009)

(Quelle: IRIN / International)

With the integration of Burundi's last rebel groups into government institutions almost complete, the team that mediated the peace process has set up a structure to monitor the implementation of the pact signed in 2006, officials said. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who chairs the Regional Initiative for Burundi, initiated the Partnership for Peace in Burundi (PPB), to monitor the consolidation of peace in the country until December 2009.

Refugee camps in Tanzania to close (08.05.2009)

(Quelle: Irinnews / International)

The last camp for Burundians in western Tanzania will be closed after the repatriation of at least 50,000 refugees in June, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said. "With this repatriation and reintegration, a new page will be turned for Burundi; this will certainly boost its development," Bo Schack, the UNHCR representative in Burundi, told a news conference in the capital, Bujumbura.

Burundi child soldiers mutiny over camp conditions (05.05.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Hundreds of former child soldiers for Burundi rebels staged a mutiny at a demobilisation camp to demand better conditions, an official said Tuesday. Some 340 child soldiers from the National Liberation Forces (FNL), Burundi's last active rebel group, have been in Gitega, 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Bujumbura, since early April awaiting demobilisation.

Burundi opposition says ruling party raring militia (05.05.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Burundi's main opposition group on Tuesday accused President Pierre Nkurunziza's party of forming a militia and carrying out targeted assassinations. The Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) said the ruling CNDD-FDD party - a former Hutu rebel group - was re-arming former fighters.

Dangerous demobilisation gaps (29.04.2009)

(Quelle: Irinnews / International)

Thousands of people associated with a former rebel group in Burundi could threaten the country's new-found peace because they have been excluded from a demobilisation and army integration programme on the grounds they were not actual combatants, according to analysts.

Un Hutu, ex-rebelle, nommé patron de l’armée (23.04.2009)

(Quelle: arib / Belgium)

C’est une grande première au Burundi qui sort tout doucement d'une décennie de guerre civile. Le Sénat vient d’approuver la nomination, au poste de chef d'état-major général de l'armée, de l'ex-rebelle et général Godefroid Niyombare, qui devient le premier Hutu à la tête de l'armée dans l'histoire du pays.

Burundi's last rebel group becomes a political party (22.04.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Burundi's last remaining rebel group has officially registered as a political party ahead of next year's national elections in the coffee-producing central African nation, officials said. Integrating the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) is seen as the last hurdle for peace in Burundi, raising hopes that the tiny nation may shuck off its violent past.

Burundi rebels starting to disarm (21.04.2009)

(Quelle: BBC / UK)

African Union troops are physically disarming 21,000 fighters from Burundi's last active rebel group, the Forces for National Liberation (FNL). It follows a weekend ceremony where FNL leader Agathon Rwasa symbolically surrendered his own weapons to the AU.

Burundi ex-rebels start to disarm (17.03.2009)

(Quelle: BBC / UK)

The disarmament of Burundi's last major rebel group, Forces for National Liberation (FNL), has begun after months of delays. Some 3,000 singing and chanting former rebel fighters began gathering late on Monday at an assembly site in the west of the capital, Bujumbura. … The FNL is to form a political party before the elections due in 2010.

Nkurunziza changes electoral commission (04.03.2009)

(Quelle: Independent Online / South Africa)

Burundi's president on Tuesday modified a decree creating the country's electoral commission to better guarantee its independence and silence vociferous complaints by the opposition.

Parliamant approves new electoral commission (13.02.2009)

(Quelle: Independent Online / South Africa)

Burundi's parliament on Friday approved the revised line-up of the electoral commission after rejecting an earlier proposal last month on the grounds that it was biased in favour of the president.

Peace negotiations between government and rebels slow-moving (13.02.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Negotiations about the implementation of a 2006 peace deal between the last armed rebel group in Burundi, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, and the government is slowing down, creating certain unease amongst the international facilitators and the local population. Some commentators fear a return to open hostilities between the two parties as in April this year.

Burundi rebels vow to free child soldiers: AU (18.01.2009)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Burundi's FNL rebel group vowed Saturday to release child soldiers in their ranks by the end of Janu-ary, the latest step in the country's fledgling peace process, an official said. … Several experts said FNL child soldiers could be counted in the thousands.

Burundi rebels reject violence, drop banned name (09.01.2009)

(Quelle: AlertNet / International)

Burundi's last remaining rebel group said on Friday it had renounced violence and was changing its name to reflect its transformation into a political party. The Palipehutu Forces for National Liberation dropped the first part of its name, which means "party for the liberation of ethnic Hutus", a term the government had said was illegal. Parties with tribal affiliations are outlawed in the small coffee-growing central African nation, which endured two decades of ethnic conflict that killed 300,000 people.

Burundi rebels seek peace deal deadline extension (30.12.2008)

(Quelle: Reliefweb / International)

Burundi's last rebel group on Tuesday said it would miss a Dec. 31 deadline to transform itself into a political party because of failures to fully implement a 2006 peace plan. The Forces for National Lib-eration (FNL) asked mediators to ensure they were given more time to complete the change, and called on the government to set up assembly areas for its fighters and provide them with food and medicine.

Security Council calls on Government, rebels to complete peace process by end of year (22.12.2008)

(Quelle: UN News / International)

The United Nations Security Council today called on the Government of Burundi and the last major rebel holdout to complete the final phase of their peace process by the end of this year and desist from any action that could lead to a resumption of hostilities in a country that has been torn by eth-nic conflicts for over four decades.

Warring parties sign peace agreement (05.12.2008)

(Quelle: allAfrica / International)

The Burundi peace summit has closed on a positive note with Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza and Pelipehutu Federation for National Liberation rebel movement, led by Agaghony Rwasa, signing an agreement to end conflicts in the country. The agreement will help bring peace that has evaded Burundi for a long time.

Freedom of expression endangered in Burundi, UN human rights expert says (01.12.2008)

(Quelle: UN News / International)

“The Government must restore a calm political climate and take all necessary measures to end the harassment and intimidation of journalists and representatives of civil society, trade unions and political parties,” said Akich Okola, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Burundi.In recent weeks, several journalists, political opponents and representatives of civil society and trade unions have been intimidated and harassed while exercising these basic rights, he said, calling for the immediate release of those who have been arrested.

Burundi opposition leader jailed (11.11.2008)

(Quelle: BBC) The leader of Burundi's opposition Movement for Security and Democracy has been imprisoned, ac-cused of insulting the president. Alexis Sinduhje was sent to the central prison in the capital, Bujum-bura, after appearing briefly before a magistrate.

One word blocking peace process (07.11.2008)

(Quelle: Irinnews) An attempt by regional mediators to revive the peace process between the government and the re-bel Forces nationales de libération (FNL) hit a snag on 6 November after the rebels rejected a name-change proposal.

Muyinga massacre convictions a victory (24.10.2008)

(AllAfrica) The October 23 conviction by a military tribunal of 15 soldiers for the massacre of 31 civilians in Muyinga province in 2006 is an important blow against impunity in Burundi, Human Rights Watch said today. The series of killings is among the worst atrocities committed by state security forces since President Pierre Nkurunziza took office in 2005.

Muyinga massacre trial opens before Burundi's military court (17.10.2008)

(Quelle: allAfrica) The trial of alleged authors of the Muyinga massacre, during which, on the night from 16 to 17 June 2006, sixteen people believed to belong to the rebellion were killed after being captured, opened this week before the Military Court sitting in Muyinga, at the military camp of Mukoni, after the Supreme Court decided so.

Worries over poll chaos in 2010 (13.09.2008)

(Quelle: allAfrica) Burundi professionals are worried that the 2010 elections might return the country to violence if the international community does not pressure the government and the opposition to play fair.

Growing insecurity mars peace (01.09.2008)

(Quelle: allAfrica) The delay in resolving issues of disarmament and how to integrate Burundi's former rebels into state institutions and security forces is threatening the ceasefire. Burundi watchers are now worried that if the ceasefire is not nurtured, the political crisis could compromise the holding of free and fair elections in 2010 and the country's future stability.

Recent developments, including cessation of hostilities, positive but peace process faces challenges (27.08.2008)

(Quelle: allafrica) There had been several positive developments in Burundi, including the cessation of hostilities, but the peace process still faced significant challenges requiring a national willingness for compromise, and regional and international support that was coordinated and robust, the Security Council was told this morning.

Restarting political dialogue – new ICG briefing (19.08.2008)

(Quelle: International Crisis Group) Burundi’s political crisis is not solved and may yet jeopardise the country’s future stability. 'Burundi: Restarting Political Dialogue', the latest briefing from the International Crisis Group, points out that disarmament has barely started, and no consensus has been reached on integrating former rebels into state and security institutions.

AU warns Burundi government, rebels over truce (12.08.2008)

(Quelle: Mail and Guardian) African Union officials on Tuesday warned Burundi's government and its last active rebel group that its patience is wearing thin over the delayed implementation of a 2006 ceasefire.The bloc's Peace and Security Council (PSC) 'reminded the two parties that the patience and generosity of the international community have limits', it said in a statement.

Government questions lack of weapons as FNL fighters assemble (28.07.2008)

(Quelle: Irinnews) Several thousand combatants of the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) have assembled at Rugazi in northwestern Bubanza Province but only a few weapons have been handed in, according to observers. … The rebels were required to surrender their weapons to an African Union protection unit, but only 40 weapons had been handed in, according to government spokeswoman Hafsa Mossi.

UN will finance transitional justice consultations (20.06.2008)

(Quelle: allAfrica) The Government of Burundi, Joint Steering Committee for Consolidation of Peace in Burundi and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement to support the national consultations on the set up of the mechanisms for transitional justice in Burundi, which will cost USD 1, 380 000.