sitrepburundi060209-c4916d8cb3e5cb91.pdf

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the fragile peace process in Burundi as of February 2009, focusing on the implementation of the 2006 ceasefire agreement between the government and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL rebels.

• By early 2009, Burundi entered a phase of 'cautious optimism' as the government and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération) moved toward implementing their 7 September 2006 ceasefire agreement. Key milestones included the government releasing the first batch of rebel prisoners and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL agreeing to drop the 'Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People' part of its name on 9 January 2009 to enter constitutional politics.
• On 28 and 29 January 2009, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund agreed to cancel 92 per cent of Burundi's debt, totaling approximately US$1.4 billion. The finance minister stated this relief would provide the government with $40 million over the next two decades for social and economic development.
• The peace process was severely hindered by internal power struggles within the ruling CNDD-FDD party, specifically between President Pierre Nkurunziza and Hussein Radjabu. Radjabu, the party's former secretary-general, was deposed in February 2007 amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power, but his continued influence led to a parliamentary split where 19 MPs broke away, depriving the President of his majority.
• Tanzania played a critical role in pressuring the FNL to return to negotiations. President Kikwete threatened to expel the FNL leadership from Dar-es-Salaam and warned that 120,000 Burundian refugees would be expelled by mid-2008, a prospect that alarmed the Burundian government due to potential property disputes upon their return.
• The implementation of the ceasefire faced significant disputes over the number of FNL fighters eligible for demobilisation. While the government estimated 3,000 fighters, the FNL claimed upwards of 20,000. There were reports that the FNL continued recruiting unemployed youth attracted by the prospect of demobilisation packages rather than political conviction.
• Despite recent progress, the document notes a lack of advancement regarding a special tribunal and a truth and reconciliation commission to address impunity. Additionally, the government has begun clamping down on opposition politicians and the press ahead of the 2010 elections.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). sitrepburundi060209-c4916d8cb3e5cb91.pdf. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. sitrepburundi060209-c4916d8cb3e5cb91.pdf. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=sitrepburundi060209-c4916d8cb3e5cb91.pdf |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndsitrepburundi060209c4916d8cb3e5cb91pdf, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{sitrepburundi060209-c4916d8cb3e5cb91.pdf}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }