Burundi

On 1 July 1962, Burundi achieved independence from Belgian colonial rule. Like many of its neighbours in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, colonialism left Burundi plagued by political instability, violence and divisions.

Ethnic tensions began escalating into waves of violence in 1965 and culminated in a full-scale civil war (1993-2005). Around 300,000 people were killed, and the violence in 1972 and 1993 has been recognised as genocide.

Following the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed in 2000, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2014 to help create a shared understanding of Burundi’s history. A second TRC was established in 2018.

Yet, progress to uncover the truth, deliver justice, and tackle the causes of the violence has been slow. Continued outbreaks of violence and repression, including a political crisis in 2015, have further complicated Burundi’s post-independence history, posing a challenge to addressing impunity and building lasting peace.

Meanwhile, communities still struggle with legacies of violence, historical injustice and trauma.

For Impunity Watch and our partners, it is at the local community level where transitional justice efforts will likely have the greatest impact. Supporting and encouraging community-based transitional justice initiatives is therefore among our key priorities.