Nairobi/Brussels, 21 February 2003: A report from the International
Crisis Group (ICG) published today urges key bilateral and multilateral donors to
open their pocketbooks and provide concrete evidence of their commitment to a peace
process that appears on the verge of ending Burundi's long civil war.
Donors have been reluctant to resume major aid programs
until a ceasefire was in place and the transitional government in Bujumbura
began to implement reforms demanded by the Arusha agreement signed in August
2000.
A Framework for Responsible Aid to Burundi* says, however, that such prudence has
become counter-productive. Developments over the past two months – ceasefire
agreements that have brought all but one of the various rebel groups into
political negotiations and the anticipated deployment within the next few weeks
of an African Union military observer mission – have created more momentum for
peace than at any time since the civil war began ten years ago.
Fabienne Hara, co-director of ICG's African Program, said:
"Burundi is not yet stable. The transitional government has not implemented Arusha
reforms, and there is no agreement yet on security sector reforms. One rebel
group is still outside the peace process, and marginal violence is likely to
continue even with a comprehensive ceasefire. But now is the time for donors to
play their essential role in building peace. The delivery of peace dividends
will give all rebel groups an incentive to accept disarmament and reintegration
into Burundian society and donors the leverage they need to press the
transitional government successfully on reforms".
ICG lays out a strategy for responsible assistance that
includes coordinated measures to begin rebuilding an economy and state
structures devastated by a decade of fighting, a three-year embargo, drought,
and a 66 per cent decrease in international aid. GDP has fallen 20 per cent,
placing Burundi third from the bottom of the UN human development index. Primary school
enrolment is at 28 percent, down from 70 per cent when the war began, and
infant mortality has returned to the 1960 level. There is urgent need to reintegrate
into a traumatised and disorganised society 70,000 ex-combatants, at an
estimated cost of U.S.$90 million, as well as 1.2 million refugees and
internally displaced persons.
ICG Central Africa Project Director François Grignon said:
"Reform-minded individuals in the transitional government need international
support to push change. Burundians are desperate for resources and likely to
accept the structural reforms necessary to receive this assistance if it is
tangible and at hand. In return donors should demand a reduction in military
expenditure, an immediate end to speculation in coffee income and monetary
exchange – and above all that the transfer of the presidency from Major Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, to the Hutu vice president,
Domitien Ndayizeye, take place on 1 May as agreed in the
Arusha peace accord".
MEDIA CONTACTS
email: [email protected]
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Kathy Ward (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
*Read the full ICG report on our website:
www.crisisweb.org
