Burundi

The Republic of Burundi or simply Burundi, as it is more known, is along the Great lakes area of Africa. Its former name was Urundi. It was changed to Burundi after they gained their independence last 1962. This is subsequent to the colonization of Germany followed by Belgium during the 1880s. It is an amazingly small country; which is being bordered by Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Lake Tanganyika. Its current name sounds a bit like Kirundi; which is their Bantu Language.

Since its location makes it pretty isolated with limited resources, Burundi faces not only pressures from its population but also the fact that they are the poorest country in the world. On the planet, their GDP per capita is considered as the lowest.  There was even a scientific study conducted on about 178 nations; that indicated Burundi’s population views life with the lowest actual satisfaction.

Political History of Burundi 

Ever since their independence, Burundi has experienced so much chaos. Civil unrest, bloody battles and even mass murders have really desecrated Burundi as a country.  85% of their population would be Hutus; while they are still dominated by the Tutsi minority. From the 1960s up to the 1970s, there was a so-called genocide incident that killed more than 100,000 Hutu and Tutsi race in Africa. This is more of a political thing.

The government then urged all their people after this to forgive one another; as pertaining to those killings in the past. Thus, it seems to still go on. Forgiveness is really somewhat very hard to assume for a country had 9 leaders already assassinated because of this feud. In fact, last 1993, when a Hutu named Melchior Ndadaye were elected president, Tutsi extremists or paratroopers assassinated him. His assassination led to along tiresome civil war that left both Tutsi and Hutu people dead. This is because violence had started to break out between the so-called groups, when President Ndadaye was assassinated. Thus, in 1994, the successor of Ndadaye was also killed because of a plane crash. The crash killed another president, Juvel Habyarimana of Rwanda.

Even the UN has a report regarding the genocide that took place October 1993. This report implicated the senior figures of the Tutsi-dominated army in Burundi; which led to the assassination of then President Melchior Ndadaye. This is why Tutsi and Hutu civilians are now targets of actual mass killings and direct acts of genocide in Burundi. This was even organized by their state and armed militia groups. Nevertheless, their government then was run by both Tutsi and Hutu groups. As for their military, it is composed of both former Tutsi government soldiers and former Hutu rebels. This conflict in Burundi would only see an end through the restoration of the multi-ethnic feud; which can pave the way for a multi-party democracy.

Subsequent to the assassination of Ndadaye, the Tutsi military and Hutu presidency was governed with an actual power-sharing of the political system until the year 1996.  This is when Tutsi Major Buyoya followed the Hutu president because of a victorious coup. After this, the actual opposition-led Hutu parliament and Buyoya signed a transitional constitution agreement; which placed Buyoya into presidency. Thus, it was the famous Nelson Mandela who facilitated the ceasefire talks between the Hutu and Tutsi groups in Tanzania last 2000. This was called the Arusha Accords. This so-called ‘Accord’ established a new set-up for the presidency; as well as the vice-presidency slots. They stated that these positions will have a transitional-type of government. This means that there will be an 18 month rotation for the two slots; for the Hutus and the Tutsi’s. Amidst the ceasefire accord agreement between three Tutsi groups and the government; 2 leading Hutu rebellious groups denied participation in the ceasefire and went on with their cause.
It was October 2001 when the implementation of the transitional government proceeded. Even so, the

Hutu rebels still doesn’t want to take part in any of these ceasefire terms and continued fighting. This led to the killing of about 500 rebels against their attack with the Tutsi army last December 25, 2001. Losing 500 rebels is still not enough to stop the fightings in Burundi. It even continued for several tiresome months.

The last resort the government saw was to have Buyoya step down last July 2003; and have a Hutu, Domitien Ndayizeze take over the presidency of the actual transitional government. It was President Ndayizeze who was able to make the Hutu rebel group, FDD or Forces fro Defense of Democracy, sign a ceasefire agreement. This took place in the summit of African leaders last November 2003 in Tanzania.

The agreement emphasizes that the FDD is now considered as a political party; and that the fights of the rebel Hutu’s are to be directly integrated towards the predominant Tutsi armed forces.
The government though this was the last stop. It was proven to be another wrong term when war broke loose again. Even the UN regarded this as their responsibility to put a stop on these killings. They decided to intervene in this Burundi civil war. It was December 2004 when they disarmed thousands of former rebels and Burundi soldiers.

This paved the way for a lot of changes in Burundi. It was 2005 when they were able to exercise their right to vote again. This elections result came out and made the FDD the winning party for their parliamentary elections. Subsequent to this, Pierre Nkurunziza, from the so-called Hutu FDD group, was then elected as the actual president; as per the 2 Hutu-dominated houses of parliament. Thus, last April 2006, the midnight to dawn curfew was lifted; and for the 1st time in 12 years, they Burundi residents felt that they were free again.

These are the assassinated leaders of the country:

•    1961 - Louis Rwagasore, Prime Minister of Burundi
•    1962 - Jean Nduwabike, trade union leader
•    1964 - Gabriel Gihimbare, first Roman Catholic bishop of Hutu descent
•    1965 - Pierre Ngendandumwe, Prime Minister of Burundi
•    1965 - Joseph Bamina, Prime Minister of Burundi
•    1965 - Paul Mirerekano, leading Burundian politician
•    1965 - Gervais Nyangoma, politician
•    1972 - Martin Ndayahoze, leading army commander and information minister
•    1975 - Ntare V, dethroned King of Burundi (disputed circumstances)
•    1993 - Melchior Ndadaye, President of Burundi, Founder of the Burundi Workers' Party
•    1993 - Gilles Bimazubute
•    2001 - Kassi Manlan, World Health Organization representative

Their Economic Standing 

Having a GNP of only $90 and being populated by around 7.8 million; makes Burundi the world’s poorest country. Last February 2007, the UN shifted its interest into the rebuilding of Burundi’s economy. This is amidst the fact that Burundi’s economic market relies mainly on coffee and tea; which even experienced a great blow because of the civil war. The UN then donated about $35 million just to have Burundi back on its feet. They started with the building of infrastructures, promoting democratic practices, defending human rights and rebuilding Burundi’s military.

Setbacks and Diseases 

Thus, since AIDS and HIV was very prevalent in this area, an NGO called SOS Children focused on the introduction of condoms and ARVs; so as to combat AIDS. This effort is due to the alarming rate of deaths that are caused by the syndrome. Last 2001, the estimated death reached 25,000. In 2003, the estimated deaths reached 45,000. This is a major issue that has devastated so many lives in Burundi.

Up to now, the UN, the government of Burundi and other NGOs are working real hard to contain the problem; this is since eradicating it would seem as a long process to take.

Burundi is amongst several countries in Africa that needs to be developed and supported. The long civil war that they experienced not only brought trauma to a majority of its residents, it caused a lot of suffering for those who lost their loved ones because of these fights. Although they experienced freedom again last 2006, they are still caught in-between their past and the thought of what future their children would have.

The government may do everything in their power to help their citizens, but how far can they help them when so much has been lost already? There have not been any indications that there are properties being sold in Burundi. If you see one, it’s a good idea to research, ask around and verify its legitimacy. It is not advisable to go to Burundi at the moment. Although there are already peace negotiations, take into consideration that Burundi is a poor country. Aside from the diseases, kidnapping and terrorism is an issue you should not disregard. It may not hurt to think about putting an investment there, but as of now, you may just lose in the end.

It is best to let the UN and their government work on Burundi’s affairs until they are totally back on their feet again. This will assure you that you will not be taking chances when you buy something there. Burundi has so many problems to take care of. Once this is resolved, you may start thinking about it. Thus, for you and your family’s safety, there are better places in Africa you can invest in.