Burundi: The End of the Tunnel?

The document examines the fragile peace process in Burundi, specifically the integration of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL into the political system. It details the role of regional mediators, the impact of internal power struggles within the ruling CNDD-FDD, and the eventual symbolic concession by the FNL to drop ethnic references from its name to allow for political registration. It also notes significant debt relief provided by the World Bank and IMF in early 2009.

• In late January 2009, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund agreed to cancel 92 per cent of Burundi's debt, totaling approximately US$1.4 billion. This relief is expected to provide the government with $40 million over the next two decades for social and economic development.
• The implementation of the September 2006 ceasefire agreement between the government and PALIPEHUTU-FNL was delayed by disputes over the integration of rebels into the army and government, as well as the validity of immunity guarantees.
• Tanzania exerted significant pressure on the FNL to return to negotiations, including threats to expel the group's leadership from Dar-es-Salaam and to expel 120,000 Burundian refugees by mid-2008.
• A major breakthrough occurred on 9 January 2009, when the FNL officially dropped 'PALIPEHUTU' (Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People) from its name to remove unconstitutional ethnic connotations and enable its registration as a political party.
• Internal power struggles within the ruling CNDD-FDD, specifically between President Pierre Nkurunziza and Hussein Radjabu, created a volatile political environment that hindered the peace process and led to parliamentary instability.
• Despite progress on the ceasefire, the document notes a lack of advancement regarding a truth and reconciliation commission and a special tribunal to address the climate of impunity.

APA

Boshoff, H., Gasana, J. M., & Cornwell, R. (2009). Burundi: The End of the Tunnel? Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF

Chicago

Boshoff, Henri, Jean Marie Gasana, and Richard Cornwell. Burundi: The End of the Tunnel? Institute for Security Studies, 2009. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Boshoff |first1=Henri |last2=Gasana |first2=Jean Marie |last3=Cornwell |first3=Richard |title=Burundi: The End of the Tunnel? |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=2 February 2009 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{boshoff2009burundi, author = {Boshoff, Henri and Gasana, Jean Marie and Cornwell, Richard}, title = {{Burundi: The End of the Tunnel?}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = feb, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SITREPBURUNDI060209.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }