Burundi African Transitional Justice Hub

Agreement between the Forces for Democratic Change and Political Parties of the Opposition

In the Convention on Governance, the parties in the Preamble firmly commit themselves to TJ measures, including “to work for the speedy restoration of peace, security, trust and social and political stability in the country.” In the body the Convention provides for the promotion of the independence of the judiciary, neutrality of the police force...

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Forces for Democratic Change and Political Parties of the Opposition

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Government of Burundi and Palipehutu–FNL

The Dar-es-Salaam Agreement provides for the creation of a Commission of Experts to rewrite the history of Burundi, in consultation with all components of Burundian society. It provides that a highly representative truth commission would be established in legislation and would be called the Truth, Forgiveness and Reconciliation Commission, with the aim to establish the...

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Heads of State Supporting the Peace Process in the Great Lakes

The Parties to the Sirte Agreement affirmed the security and integrity of the political borders of all states and agreed to cease hostilities to pave the way for dialogue and peaceful resolution. The Parties further agreed to deployment of neutral African peacekeeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and reaffirmed the need to...

Peace Agreements

Agreement between the Transitional Government and CNDD–FDD

The Pretoria Protocol provides for political power sharing, by providing for positions for the CNDD–FDD in the Executive, Legislature, governors of provinces and local governors as well as the diplomatic corps. It also provides for security reform through the formation of the Burundi National Defence Force comprising 60% government forces and 40% CNDD–FDD forces. It...

Peace Agreements

Agreements for Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region

These agreements together aim to promote sustainable peace and security in the Great Lakes region. The Preamble to the Pact on Security, Stability and Development reaffirms the “individual and collective determination to transform the Great Lakes Region into a space of durable peace and security, of political and social stability, and of economic growth and...

Truth Commissions

Burundi

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Commission pour la Vérité et la Réconciliation) was mandated to establish the truth about serious violence committed during cyclical conflicts in Burundi since July 1962, the date of independence. According to its founding legislation, the objectives of the Commission included qualifying crimes other than crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity,...

Transitional Justice Processes

Burundi

Since its independence from Belgium in 1962, Burundi has struggled with ongoing interethnic conflicts and political instability. On 20 January 1959, King Mwami Mwambutsa IV of Burundi requested the country’s independence from Belgium and the dissolution of the Ruanda-Urundi union. The monarchy followed a Tutsi-aristocratic hierarchy of succession. Under the Belgian administration, it controlled the...

Truth Seeking and Sexual Violence

Burundi Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2014-present)

Interethnic conflicts were ongoing in Burundi from its independence from Belgium in 1962 until the signing of various peace agreements in 2008. This constant conflict was punctuated by sporadic but interconnected civil wars in 1965, 1972, 1988 and 1991, in addition to multiple coups (Ngaruko & Nkurunziza, 2005). The largest civil war, which lasted from...

Regional Economic Communities Frameworks

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

The treaty establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) states its aims and objectives to be attaining sustainable growth and development of the member states, promoting joint development in all fields of economic activity and the joint adoption of macro-economic policies and programmes to raise the standard of living of its peoples,...