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"
Solidifying Peace in Burundi "
An
integrated project with 11 Burundian NGOs
in the TFF Amahoro (Peace) Coalition
© Jan Oberg 2003
Sweden, May 22,
2004 - updated April 2005
This outline has
been produced on the basis of the comprehensive proposals
developed by each of our 11 coalition partners and
submitted to TFF during spring 2004. It forms the basis
on which TFF approaches potential donors in Sweden,
Denmark and elsewhere.
What is
important is that each of the projects have been
identified by the Burundian NGOs themselves and reflect
the needs of the country as it goes through the peace
process.
The role of TFF
has been only to identify connecting points and integrate
them with each other and produce this short outline from
the much larger project proposals. Thus, we have secured
a genuinely Burundian character and stake in all we do in
the future in the Amahoro Coalition together.
1.
General background
Burundi is moving from a thirty
years old ethnic conflict towards peace. This violence
has taken thousands of lives. A peace agreement has been
signed in Arusha-Tanzania in August 2000 between 17
political parties and armed movements. This agreement was
implemented in November 2001 with the implementation of
transitional institutions and the alternation power
between Pierre Buyoya and his vice-president Domitien
Ndayizeye. Two other cease-fire agreements were signed in
August and December 2002 between the government ad two
armed groups, CNDD-FDD of Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye and
PALIPEHUTU-FNL of Alain Mugabarabona. The great progress
was achieved in September 2003 with the Pretoria protocol
regarding the sharing of political and military power
between the government and CNDD-FDD of Peter Nkurunziza
considered as the important rebel movement. By spring
2004, there is only one rebel movement that is not a
party to the peace process.
Moreover, there is a lot to do to
make the process a success. Infrastructures have been
destroyed and the poverty among the population is
increasing. The process needs accompaniment mechanisms to
prevent it from falling apart. The social fabric torn by
many years of violence has to be restored. Peace without
human rights promotion and defence can't be sustainable.
This is a work and a process in which each individual and
all of civil society has to be mobilised and take a
leading role.
This is the reason why the TFF
Amahoro Coalition with 8 leading Burundian NGOs (see
Letter of Understanding) has been established to carry
out an integrated project with a broad focus on peace
monitoring, elections monitoring, human rights protection
and promotion, political participation of women, good
governance and reconciliation, all with an emphasis on
public education and training.
The present positive developments
in Burundi need international attention and support now
rather than later in order to achieve the much needed
peace and welfare of all its citizens which is also
essential for the stability in the Great Lakes region.
2.
Proposed Projects
2.1. Peace
Monitoring and a Human Rights Observatory
By CENAP/APDH
Aim and
purpose
In general this project aims to
promote peace, reconciliation and the awareness of human
rights. In particular the project will contribute to the
implementation of the Arusha peace process and cease-fire
and to help dissuade ethnic groups from exercising
manipulative power over civil society, community-based
authorities and the political parties as well as to
contribute constructively to prevent human rights
violations.
Implementation
An early warning network would be
set up in the whole country. Chosen local peace monitors
in targeted zones will monitor deeds and gestures,
discourses, political messages in particular, propaganda
and the mobilisation of the communities at the ground
level; through that they will seek to empower and
solidify the peace process and to deal constructively
with the past as well as with the overall post-conflict
situation. In addition a group of designated human rights
observers will be trained and thereafter, in cooperation
with the peace monitors, work in the field. Parts of the
project will address the situation of the Batwa
population in particular.
Achievements
The project will enhance the
capacity in monitoring the peace process, create a peace
awareness and promote a country-wide understanding of
human rights and obligations. In addition the project
will contribute to the establishment of an early warning
system and promote reconciliation. The practical
achievements of the project shall lead to identification
and education of local peace monitors and human rights
observers followed by an expansion of the national
network of monitors and observers.
2.2 Good
governance and raising consciousness countrywide:
By OAG, RPA
& Maison de la Presse
Aim and purpose
This project has two main
objectives:
a) To assist in the creation of a
democratic society free from various types of corruption
and imbued with a culture of peace, trust and harmony
between the civil society and the governmental
institutions as well as among former adversaries. An
important part of this project is the use of the African
Public Radio (RPA) in broadcasting educational and
dialogue-creating programs with a particular focus on the
third ethnic group, the Batwa.
b) To disseminate the activities of
the other projects and their aims to all corners of
Burundi where at least two-thirds of the citizens live
for whom the radio is the only means of public
information. Thus, it seeks to reinforce the awareness of
journalists concerning their role and social
responsibility as well as popularise peace, democracy and
human rights in the minds of local citizens.
Implementation
a) The project will target
decision-makers and citizens alike. Through brainstorming
sessions, workshops and other related activities
participants will be able to discuss various ideas and
opportunities concerning good and bad governance,
peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution and the main
criteria for reconciliation and its practical
implementation. The beneficiaries of the workshops would
continue to broadcast the findings and ideology through
other workshops and the training of trainers
b) Capacity-building seminars,
workshops and various types of skills training for about
80 journalists in radio, TV and newspapers on the special
roles media can play in the peace process and post-war
normalisation, including the ethical responsibilities
pertaining to public education.
Expected
achievements
A more understanding interaction
between media professionals, civil society and
politicians. More unbiased, peace culture-promoting media
based on respect for professional and ethical code of
conduct and thereby promote good governance during and
after the peace process itself.
The project will advocate an
innovative thinking and theories among decision-makers
and citizen alike that will result in a policy based on
non-violent politics, economics, sustainability and
ethics of care. In addition small workshops will
facilitate dialogues and listening that may help in
healing traumatic and psychological wounds.
2.3
Reinforcement of a democratic participation of Burundian
women in post-conflict reconstruction
By Women Lawyers Association
Aim and
purpose
This project seeks in general to
improve gender equalities through activities by which
women can take more part in decision-making, become more
conscious of their rights and duties as citizens and, in
particular, to prepare Burundian women for forthcoming
elections in October 2004.
Implementation
The implementation include
development and production of training manuals on the
citizens rights and obligations, a program for training
of trainers, trainers activity follow-up as well as
workshops on post conflict and democratic principles. In
addition the project should establish and carry out a
national campaign on the election system.
Achievements
It is expected that the project
will promote the advancement of women, women's
self-reliance, raising of their rights awareness, the
promotion of social and economic equality and the
creation of a cadre of female mangers.
2.4.
Community-based reconciliation and development
By THARS & CAP
Aim and
purpose
This project has two main
goals:
a) to help people from all sides
and regions to move in the direction of a culture for
peace and attitudes of tolerance and
reconciliation;
b) to carry through a hands-on
activity which aims to encourage local people to make
decisions and to take action in reinforcing the cohesion
of the rural communities through a development
project.
Implementation
a) Workshops and brainstorm on
alternatives to violent conflict-resolution, listening
skills, local empowerment and setting up peace committees
in the hills and in the bush; where possible also to help
heal traumas and psychological wounds.
b) People's knowledge and skills
must be seen as a positive contribution to this project
and the overall peace process. Initially the project will
focus on the restoration of the peace and development
committees in six communities followed by training in
project management. The next phase will initiate the
development of agro-pastoral projects in six communities
and the building of roof tile ovens and brick factories
in two communities.
Expected
achievements
Re-start of production activities
which will increase the income and standard of living in
those rural communities and build confidence and harmony
between and among the local communities and former
adversaries.
3.
Expected overall achievements
This projects employs a holistic
approach; it has a start-up phase of 12-18 months and is
expected to last for three years with the possibility of
extending the Coalition's co-operative efforts, depending
on the situation and needs in the country.
Through the project the Coalition
will significantly contribute to the implementation of
the fragile peace process initiated by the Arusha Accord.
It will promote knowledge and understanding not only of
human rights issues through out the country but also
awareness about reconciliation and its importance for a
sustainable peace and development. In addition the
project will identify and educate a number of peace
monitors and human right observers who will contribute to
prevent risks of recurring due to the delicate reforms
and thus promote the country's unification and
reconciliation process.
4.
Evaluation
The evaluation will be based on an
agreed set of international criteria commonly applied to
comparable institutions (e.g., universities and
institutes). The parameters for evaluations will be the
given objectives, the expected achievements, the supplied
and used resources; in addition, it will focus in details
on the content, methods of training, materials and
measurable results produced. Therefore, each project will
be evaluated at the end while the final evaluation will
be a joint exercise between the Coalition partners,
involved institutions and related governmental
organisations. The evaluation of the program's effect on
the peace process will be done later and in cooperation
with concerned authorities.
5.
Financing
The project may be financed by
domestic resources, by international resources or by
private funding. Support can also be provided by
international financial cooperation for development,
including official development assistance. Initially, it
requires start-up money not exceeding 680.000 SEK or
about 65.000 Euros.
The 11 Burundian
NGOs in the Amahoro Coalition
AFJ, Association de
Femmes Juristes
APDH, Association
Pour La Paix et Les Droits de L'Homme
CAP, Compagnie des
Apôtres de la Paix
CENAP, Centre
d'Alerte et de Prévention des Conflits
Maison de la
Presse
OAG, Observatoire
de l'Action Gouvernementale
RPA, Radio Publique
Africaine
THARS, Trauma
Healing and Reconciliation Services
Universite Lumiere
de Bujumbura
ITEKA, Ligue
Burundaise des Droit de l'Homme
STEB, Syndicat des
Travailleurs de l'Enseignement du Burundi - The Teachers'
Union of Burundi
©
TFF 2005
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