Conflict resolution, prevention, and transformation: Search for Common Ground

Burundi entered into the final “postconflict” phase of its history as the Forces nationales de libération (FNL), the nation’s oldest and last remaining armed group, began the process of disarmament and integration. While reintegrating FNL ex-combatants into society will be difficult, for the first time in more than 15 years the country is free of armed groups, creating new opportunities for political dialogue and democratic advances.

Preparations have begun for national, parliamentary and local elections, scheduled for 2010. The organisation of free, transparent and fair elections would represent a benchmark in Burundi’s peace building process and the recent September agreement on an electoral code by both the presidential and opposition parties is another step forward. Nonetheless, anxieties persist as earlier elections, except the 2005 election, have played destabilising roles throughout the region and political agreement surrounding many of the details is required prior to the organisation of these elections. Burundians are also increasingly concerned about the transitional justice process, which risks being overshadowed by elections. In July, the national steering committee began its consultations which are set to conclude in December 2009, at the height of preparations for the elections.

Accelerated repatriation from Tanzania has stretched the absorption capacity of service providers and host communities, primarily in southern Burundi. In June, an agreement was struck with the Tanzanian Government to allow the Mtabila refugee camp to remain open at least through September 2009. As of September 22, 50,000 returnees had been repatriated from Tanzania since March 2008. Unfortunately, land disputes in the returnee zones have led many returnees to remain in temporary settlements surrounding administrative centres, and have increased the burden on the National Commission on "Land and Other Assets” (CNTB), whose capacity will be reinforced with the revision of the its governing laws, which accord it more power.

Shedding Light on National Consultations for Transitional Justice

Burundi has recently launched a transitional justice process to discover the underlying causes of the recurring crises that have plagued the nation. To address this, a steering committee composed of six members (two representatives of government, two representatives of the United Nations and two representatives of civil society) was established in November 2007 to organise a series of national consultations. After a long process of technical preparation, these national consultations began in July 2009. Using media and public discussions, SFCG has looked at transitional justice both generally and within the specific Burundi context. Over the last three months, SFGC has worked to raise awareness about such topics as:

In addition, SFCG Burundi organised media coverage of the national consultations. During the month of July, after noting that the radios in the country were not covering this important event, SFCG collaborated with a local partner station, Radio Isanganiro, to report on the phase of consultations in the provinces of Bubanza and Cibitoke. During a broadcast of youth-based talk show Isanganiro ry'Urwaruka (‘Youth meeting point’) on SFCG’s Studio Ijambo, broadcast on Radio Isanganiro, a member of the Steering Committee of the national consultations, Mr Joseph Ndayizeye, sent an SMS message to a journalist of the studio that read: "We are very thankful to Search for Common Ground, which, in collaboration with Isanganiro, is conducting media coverage of these national consultations when other radios do not, even though they have received funds for this activity. " The process of national consultations will continue through December 2009 and SFCG Burundi will continue coverage of this activity through the organisation of radio programmes and panels, not only to increase awareness, but also to encourage active participation in the process and instil a greater sense of ownership among elected officials and the citizens of Burundi.

Acting Out Land Conflict

Since May 2009, 23 theatrical performances have been held in Makamba province to raise awareness about peaceful resolution of land disputes. In these shows, the theater troupe portrays a conflict or situation particular to the village. Spectators are then invited by the troupe to participate in the performances – acting out scenarios, “advising” the actors on how to peacefully handle the conflicts, or simply sharing their thoughts on land conflict with the community. After the show, the audience has a chance to share their experiences. During the performances, 212 people, including 80 women, intervened and offered their ideas about positive behaviors in the resolution of land disputes. Almost 40 participants identified themselves as being involved in some dispute and pledged to negotiate with other parties in the conflict to share land.

One of the spectators, Nitereka Japheth, spoke about how he had harboured anger towards those who had driven him from his land and destroyed his home. After attending this show, however, he said he would try to change his behaviour. On the advice of the SFCG troupe he sought out the NGO Avocats Sans Frontieres (Lawyers Without Borders), which has assigned a lawyer to take his case, and the process is going well. Another participant at the show acknowledged that the show staged his own story and wondered: "How do people in Bujumbura know my story?” After that, he pledged to share the land with returnees.

Discussions Facilitate Exchanges to Resolve Land Disputes

Throughout the last three months, SFCG organised round table discussions in Makamba, Bujumbura, Kayanza, Muyinga and Bubanza on the issues of land disputes and the repatriation of returnees to Burundi. Participants in these activities included representatives of civil society, voters, representatives of political parties, returnees, and members of the local and national levels of the National Commission on "Land and Other Assets” (CNTB). The objective of these roundtables is to create a framework of exchanges between voters and legislators to address the concerns of the public. Leaders are then equipped with the knowledge needed to inform their superiors about the issues on the ground.

When it comes to repatriation, one of the major challenges is the economic and social reintegration of returnees. Returnees, many of whom fled their homes as long ago as 1972, often return to their homes to find their lands occupied. In some cases, they are not able to find places to live and end up in a ‘peace village’, housing built by the government where they can stay temporarily. Participants of the round table discussion have focused on the case of Makamba, a province that has been experiencing land disputes due to the high levels of returnees. These discussions have resulted in many recommendations for the government and the CNTB. Most important are the following:

These round table discussions provided a framework of exchanges among the different actors involved in the resolution of land conflicts and the reintegration of returnees. It also gave the participants the opportunity to identify their particular roles and responsibilities within the collaborations that must exist between the different parties.

Search for Common Ground Assesses Madagascar's Political Crisis

In light of the ongoing political crisis in Madagascar, and the role that the media plays within it, SFCG Burundi Director Adrien Sindayigaya and Africa Programme Manager Rebecca Besant embarked on an assessment mission funded by UNDP and the US Embassy’s Public Information Office to assess Madagascar’s media environment and possibilities for peace building. SFCG was asked to lead the assessment based on its experience in similar highly politicised environments, including Burundi and Sierra Leone. During discussions, Malagasy journalists were extremely interested to hear about Studio Ijambo’s programming, and the changes that its team has helped achieved in the Burundian media landscape. At the end of the mission, SFCG developed a strategy to promote social cohesion by strengthening the capacity of the media and civil society to mitigate tensions arising from the political crisis. With its extensive knowledge of using media to foster positive community relations and reconciliation and its experience in strengthening local actors to apply common ground methodology, SFCG is in a unique position to implement programming to address growing social tensions similar to those faced in Burundi.