Search for Common Ground Releases New Report on Land Conflict in Burundi
"Until the guns start going off, no one pays attention"
Frances Fortune, Africa Programmes Director, Search for Common Ground, speaking about land disputes in Burundi.
Search for Common Ground's Burundi office has released a new strategic review on progress in mitigating land conflicts in the small African nation. The review was launched by Ms. Fortune on February 9th at the Great Lakes Policy Forum, where she was joined by Kelsey Jones-Casey from Landesa, and Professor Eulavie Ndura of George Mason University, to share their views and research on the shifting nature of land conflict.
The vast majority of this country's 8 million people are subsistence farmers, relying on their land to survive. However, with the return of approximately 1 million refugees and IDPs displaced by decades of fighting, the average plot of land has dropped to less than 1.5 acres – not close to enough to feed a family. Many of those returning came back to find their land occupied, their property boundaries changed, or deeds to their property given to someone else. In one province last year, 11 people were killed in land disputes in just a few months, and land disputes accounted for between 70 and 90 percent of all court cases. Even as returnee disputes are being settled, other disputes are becoming to take root. This includes inheritance disputes, which often entail the division of small parcels of property among large families, and lack of property rights for women.
The recently completed review examines the gains that SFCG and other actors have made in addressing these challenges. For example, approximately 90 percent of radio listeners polled by SFCG evaluation teams said they had gained information about peacefully resolving land conflicts through SFCG-Burundi's radio program Icibare Cacu. Other programming described in the strategic review includes participatory theater, in which the office sends teams to villages throughout the country who act out local conflicts and encourage community discussions on how to solve them. At the government level, SFCG-Burundi trains local officials in conflict resolution techniques, and has convened dozens of community exchanges where ordinary citizens were able to talk directly to government officials. The organization has also helped resurrect the Bashingantahe, a group of elders traditionally responsible for solving disputes. Although these community figures fell out of favor during the decades of fighting, SFCG-Burundi is one of several organizations making efforts to reinvigorate this dispute resolution mechanism.
However, while land conflicts linked to the return of displaced people are gradually being settled, land issues will continue to loom large. As the population grows, young people are increasingly forced to migrate to the cities, where they face an uncertain future. Women continue to have few rights to land. Land reform measures appear stalled, and there is little clarity on compensation for land expropriated by the State. These issues will require continued work, even as the remainder of the return-related disputes are resolved.
Land conflict is one of the most significant issues facing Burundi, and will be for some times. However, evidence presented in the strategic review shows that significant progress has already been made, and there is reason to be hopeful for the future.
This video, about SFCG's participatory theater program in Rwanda, shows the results this innovative peacebuilding method can achieve.
SFCG-Burundi's office also engages in conflict resolution trainings for public officials in Burundi, which can often significantly change community dynamics and approaches to conflict.
Icibare Cacu, SFCG-Burundi's radio program, reaches millions of people every day – including many public officials.
