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International Crisis Group Report on “Burundi: From Electoral Boycott to Political Impasse”
February 8, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

The International Crisis Group (ICG) recently published a report titled, “Burundi: From Electoral Boycott to Political Impasse.” The report examines the confrontation between the incumbent and the opposition parties that developed after the long awaited elections in the African country. The elections resulted in a landslide – 64% of the vote – reelection of President Pierre Nkurunziza, a Hutu who has been in power since 2005.
 
National and international observers deemed the election as free and fair. A United Nations communiqué stated that, “the irregularities observed had not been significant enough to call into question the results or credibility of the polls.”

Despite that, twelve opposition parties rejected the presidential election results and instructed their members not to take up their seats in the communal councils. In addition, the opposition moved to form a coalition and called for dismissal of the electoral commission and total cancellation of the election results. For its part, President Nkurunziza rejected the opposition demands and took a hardline position against any form of dissent. The Nkurunziza government cracked down on opposition marches and outlawed the right to public gatherings.

The ICG report highlights the political marginalization the opposition has been put through by the government and showcases the emergence of violent political banditry. It also assesses Burundi’s future outlook and states the current standoff between the incumbent party and the opposition could lead to a major setback for democracy in Burundi.

To halt this post-electoral authoritarian trend, the ICG recommends the resumption of an institutional dialogue between all political actors within a sustainable framework.  According to the report unless the government resumes dialogue with the opposition, Burundi risks reversing the decade of progress it has enjoyed since its civil war ended in 2005

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Executive Representative, Charles Petrie stated that Burundi’s transition to stability and democracy was progressing but remained fragile and highlighted the need for opposition leaders to “denounce publicly all acts of violence against them and renounce violence themselves as a political tool.”
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Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after 100 days in office, causing widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. 

To read the full report, please see: Burundi: Du Boycott Electoral a l’Impasse Politique

Sources:
New York Times – Opposition Calls Election in Burundi a ‘Masquerade’

UN Security Council – Burundi’s Transformation To Stability Still Fragile, Reversible, Despite Progress.`

Human Rights Watch – Burundi: Lifting Ban on Activist Group a Positive Step

The CIA World FactBook – Burundi