Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Over 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, faces many challenges, particularly from the country's last rebel group who remains outside of the peace process and continue attacks in the western provinces of Burundi.
Country profile: Burundi
Burundi, one of the world's poorest nations, is emerging from a 12-year, ethnic-based civil war.Since independence in 1961, it has been plagued by tension between the dominant Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority and has been the scene of one of Africa's most intractable conflicts.
It is now beginning to reap the dividends of a peace process. But it faces the formidable tasks of reviving a shattered economy and of forging national unity.
In 1993 Burundi seemed poised to enter a new era when, in their first democratic elections, Burundians chose their first Hutu head of state, Melchior Ndadaye, and a parliament dominated by the Hutu Front for Democracy in Burundi (Frodebu) party.
AT-A-GLANCE- Politics: Stability appears to be within reach after years of bloody conflict. The government and the last active rebel group agreed a ceasefire in September 2006
- Economy: Half the population lives below the poverty line. Coffee and tea account for most of the foreign currency earnings
- International: Relative peace after a 12-year ethnic-based civil war has been attributed partly to international mediation and support
But within months Ndadaye had been assassinated, setting the scene for years of Hutu-Tutsi violence in which an estimated 300,000 people, most of them civilians, were killed.
In early 1994 parliament elected another Hutu, Cyprien Ntaryamira, as president. But he was killed in April alongside the president of neighbouring Rwanda when the plane they were travelling in was shot down over Kigali.
Another Hutu, Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, was appointed president in October 1994. But within months, the mainly Tutsi Union for National Progress (Uprona) party withdrew from the government and parliament, sparking a new wave of ethnic violence.
Following long-running talks, mediated by South Africa, a power-sharing government was set up in 2001 and most of the rebel groups agreed to a ceasefire. Four years later Burundians voted in the first parliamentary elections since the start of the civil war.
The main Hutu former rebel group won the vote and nominated its leader Pierre Nkurunziza as president.
Meanwhile, the government and the United Nations have begun the lengthy process of disarming thousands of soldiers and former rebels, as well as forming a new national army.
- Full name: Republic of Burundi
- Population: 7.3 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Bujumbura
- Area: 27,816 sq km (10,740 sq miles)
- Major languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili
- Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
- Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 44 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Burundi franc = 100 centimes
- Main exports: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides
- GNI per capita: US $100 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .bi
- International dialling code: +257
President: Pierre Nkurunziza
Pierre Nkurunziza, a Hutu former rebel leader, became the first president to be chosen in democratic elections since the start of Burundi's civil war.
He was the sole candidate in the August 2005 vote in the National Assembly and the Senate after his Force for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) won parliamentary elections in June.
The vote was one of the final steps in a peace process intended to end years of fighting between Hutu rebels and the Tutsi-controlled army.
Mr Nkurunziza, who pledged to strive for unity, faces the pressing challenges of reassuring the Tutsi minority and of reviving the economy. At the end of 2005 he unveiled a $2bn rejuvenation plan, most of it to be funded by foreign donors, targeted at the agricultural sector.
Born in 1964 in Ngozi province, Pierre Nkurunziza trained as a sports teacher. His father, a former MP, was killed in ethnic violence in 1972.
He joined the Hutu rebellion in 1995 and rose through the ranks to become head of the FDD in 2001. He sustained a serious mortar injury during the conflict.
The married father of two is a born-again Christian.
Operating in a turbulent political climate, Burundi's media are subject to self-censorship and occasional government censorship. However, diverse political views are aired and the opposition press does function, albeit sporadically.
Newspaper readership is limited by low literacy levels. Radio is the main source of information for many Burundians. The government runs the sole TV station, the only radio station with national coverage, as well as the only newspaper that publishes regularly.
BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale and the Voice of America broadcast on FM in Bujumbura.
The press
Television
Radio
News agencies
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 10 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms.
Burundian natural resources include nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile
Burundian religion is Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%.
Natural hazards in Burundi include flooding, landslides, drought.
Travel Advice on Burundi
SUMMARY
- We advise against all but essential travel to Bujumbura and against all travel to other parts of Burundi unless with an organised UN mission, but even then your safety cannot be guaranteed.
- A number of senior political figures, arrested in connection with an alleged “coup” plot, are still in detention. This has raised tensions in Bujumbura.
- The threat from indiscriminate attacks by rebel groups is high, particularly in Bujumbura Rural province.
- You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- If you must travel, we strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance
SAFETY AND SECURITY
You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Please read: Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages on the FCO website for further information and advice.
Crime
There is a high risk of street crime in Bujumbura. Muggings at gunpoint, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, burglary, car break-ins, and car hijackings have all been reported. Take sensible precautions i.e. do not walk in the streets after dark and do not carry large amounts of money. Safeguard valuables and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports separately. You should not drive alone after dark.
We advise against travelling outside Bujumbura after dark.
In April 2006, the long-standing night time curfew was lifted. Despite this we advise you to exercise caution when travelling between the hours of 23:00 to 06:00. Roadblocks are still in place on some routes after dark.
Political Situation
After 12 years of ethnic conflict, Burundi held elections between June and September 2005. The CNDD-FDD party won convincingly and Pierre Nkurunziza was sworn as President on 26 August 2005.
The UN peacekeeping force (ONUB), deployed in Burundi in June 2004 to oversee the political transition, completed its mandate and withdrew in December 2006. The new integrated office (BINUB), part of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, opened on 1 January 2007. BINUB will focus on reconstruction, institution-building and sustainable development for post-conflict recovery. After years of rebel activity and attacks on the rural population, the Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL) rebel group has finally agreed to join the Burundi peace process. FNL leaders signed a cease-fire agreement with the government on 7 September 2006. Work is underway to implement this agreement.
Although the security situation has stabilised in much of the country, the risk of outbreaks of armed violence, acts of banditry or cross-border incursion by rebel groups remains. Recent arrests of senior political figures, linked to an alleged coup plot have raised tensions in Bujumbura. Crime in rural areas is on the increase, particularly in Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke. This is likely to continue, given the amount of arms circulating freely. Security of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a matter of concern.
We therefore continue to advise against all travel outside Bujumbura except with an official UN escort, which will have assessed the security situation prior to giving authorisation. We continue to advise against using the Bujumbura to Butare (Rwanda) road, on which there are still occasional ambushes, again unless as part of an official UN convoy.
If you must enter Burundi despite this advice, you should exercise extreme caution. You should regularly review the situation and consider whether your presence is essential. All British nationals in Burundi should register at the Belgian Embassy (tel: +257 22 32 66) and seek their advice on the latest situation.
Road Safety
You may drive in Burundi on a full UK driving licence for the first six months, after which, you are required to obtain a Burundi driving licence.
Air Safety
Five carriers fly in and out of Burundi: Rwandair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airways, TMK (DRC registered) and Air Burundi. Neither TMK nor Air Burundi are ICAO/IATA approved. British Government employees have been advised that there are safety concerns about Air Burundi and TMK. For advice about DRC carriers, please see DRC travel advice.
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
Only very limited medical facilities are available. In the event of serious accident or illness an evacuation by air ambulance may be required.
HIV/AIDS and Malaria are prevalent in Burundi. More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets. However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country. Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Burundi.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk.
NATURAL DISASTERS
An earthquake struck the Lake Tanganyika region (on the border of DRC and Tanzania) on 5 December 2005. Tremors were felt in Burundi and as far away as Kampala and Nairobi. There were no reports of casualties in Burundi.
GENERAL