Transition Initiatives Home » About Transition Initiatives » Country Programs » Summary of Program Activities » Publications » Staff » Employment » Links » Frequently Asked Questions » Site Map »
	OTI / Burundi Home USAID in Burundi USAID Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Bureau Country Reports Select a report... Apr-June 2006 Jan-March 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 August 2002 July 2002 June 2002 May 2002 April 2002   Program Fact Sheet May 2006 Success Stories Select a story... September 2006 May 2006 May 2006 April 2006 April 2006 December 2005 December 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 July 2005 November 2004 November 2004 October 2004 October 2004 September 2004 July 2004 June 2004 December 2003 November 2003   Burundi Photo Gallery
	Advanced search... Search USAID Personnel... Search USAID Documents...

USAID/OTI Burundi Field Report

March 2003

Program Description

Program Goals and Objectives

USAID/OTI's goal in Burundi is to promote good governance and the active and informed participation of citizens. To work towards this goal, OTI has the following objectives:

• To increase active and informed discussions among people of diverse ethnic groups about common public issues.
• To encourage the evolution of government institutions at all levels to be more transparent and accountable.

To achieve these objectives, USAID/OTI is undertaking the following activities:

Legislative Strengthening Initiative

OTI is supporting a legislative assistance program to enhance the Burundian legislature's role in promoting peace and reconciliation. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) are working closely with the National Assembly and the Senate to enhance awareness among Burundian legislators of their roles and responsibilities under the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Accord (APRA), and to increase dialogue and cooperation among legislators from different political parties. The program is also encouraging representatives to undertake outreach initiatives that increase public dialogue and participation.

Burundi Initiative for Peace

The Burundi Initiative for Peace (BIP), implemented with the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), provides a series of small grants to encourage popular support for APRA and for the transitional government. The small grants program works in targeted geographic areas to support activities that maintain the momentum for peace.

COUNTRY SITUATION

On March 2 the Government of Burundi and Pierre Nkurinziza's CNDD/FDD rebel movement issued a joint statement recommitting both parties to the full implementation of the cease-fire agreement signed on December 3, 2002. Despite this joint statement fighting and looting of households continued in many parts of the country throughout March.

On March 28 President Buyoya addressed the people of Burundi on radio and television confirming that the transfer of power to the current Hutu Vice President Domitien Ndayizeye will take place by May 1, 2003 as planned for in the Arusha Accord. The transfer will also initiate a new power-sharing agreement between the incoming Hutu President and the Tutsi Vice President.

Three African countries (Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa) have agreed to supply 3,500 troops for the Africa Union peacekeeping force. The force will supervise the implementation of the cease-fire, assist in the stabilization of the country, and assist in the disarmament and reintegration of displaced persons and refugees.

HIGHLIGHTS

A. Narrative Summary

An increasing number of BIP projects from the three target provinces of Muramvya, Kayanza and Bubanza have been identified and approved.

The news that President Buyoya will be stepping down on May 1 has been viewed by many in the population as a positive step forward. OTI is working with the BIP to support a national campaign in collaboration with the Catholic Church, various ministries, civil society, and the business community to bring the population together in support of the transition in May. The campaign will begin in April and run through June 2003.

NDI has developed an information campaign that will also be implemented from April to June 2003. Burundian political and community leaders will discuss current issues of national importance during twelve radio call-in broadcasts in French and Kirundi. The broadcasts will be organized around the themes of: political transition, peace, and national reconciliation; role and responsibility of media in the national reconciliation process; reinsertion of the victims; de-politicization of the administration, anti-corruption, and good governance; economic rehabilitation; roles and responsibilities of youth in peace building; and gender equality.

B. 2002 Grants Activity Summary

A total of fifteen grants were signed in March totaling $187,030.

1. African Strategic Impact: support to organize a round table in the province of Bubanza on the role of women in the implementation of the APRA. A group of three hundred women leaders from various communities exchanged views on their contribution for peace and reconciliation. This activity corresponded with the celebration of Women's Day.
2. Association Villageoise d'entraide et de Développement Communautaire (AVEDEC): support to build seven latrines for a primary school and 15 potable water points in the commune of Bugendana in the province of Gitega. Seven hundred and eighty primary school children will benefit from the project as well as 291 households. This grant is part of OTI's efforts to provide tangible benefits of the peace process.
3. BONESHA FM: support to organize, produce, and broadcast talk shows from the province of Kayanza. This project will give the population of Kayanza the opportunity to express themselves on various topics regarding life in Burundi. Topics to be covered include APRA, land issues, corruption, social reforms, demobilization, the ceasefire, human rights, and repatriation. These forums will be taped and aired nationally.
4. IMFUNGURWA MU BIBONDO: support to rehabilitate a storage center for growing mushrooms. As part of OTI efforts to provide tangible benefits of the peace process, this grant will allow one hundred families to increase their off-farming income by producing and selling mushrooms, which are an increasingly sought after commodity in Burundi.
5. Centre de Recherche pour l'Inculturation et le Développement (CRID): support for technical training on how peace advocacy contributes to peaceful cohabitation. Two hundred citizens from all five communes of Bubanza Province will participate in the training sessions. These sessions will be taped for national radio broadcasts.
6. Ligue Iteka: support to implement a good governance project to promote transparency, accountability, and public integrity at all levels of the province. The project will train local "watchdog committees" and administrative officials in operating with transparency and accountability.
7. Radio Culture: support to organize, produce, and air programs on the education of youth. More than 50% of the population of Burundi are people under the age of 16 years. These programs will be aired nationally.
8. Association pour la Promotion du Développement Humain Durable (APPRODEV): support to sensitize the general population to the problems of the internally displaced, the demobilized, and returning refugees. Posters carrying messages and pictures supporting the peace process will be disseminated in the provinces of Muramvya, Kayanza and Bubanza.
9. Growing Geniuses: support to organize competitions in secondary schools in the three provinces of Muramvya, Kayanza, and Bubanza. Students will be taught a specific curriculum dealing with civic education, the Burundian Constitution, APRA, what democracy means, the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, human rights, and current events related to the transitional government. The final competition will aired live on national radio and television.
10. Association Tubiyage: Support to produce plays that will entertain as well as educate the general population on the peace process. This three-month project will take the play to Kayanza, Bubanza, and Muramvya potentially reaching over one million people.
11. Groupe Technique de Reflexion (GTR): support to organize a one-week forum for approximately 160 youth leaders in Kayanza, Bubanza, and Muramvya. The forum will provide training on democracy and good governance, human rights, and peace and reconciliation.
12. Ministry of Good Governance and Privatization: provide a computer, accessories, and office supplies to assist the Ministry in monitoring the implementation of the national good governance project being implemented with Ligue Iteka.
13. The Burundian Parliament: support to the National Assembly and the Senate for dissemination of information on the National Outreach Program.
14. Radio Télévision Nationale du Burundi (RTNB): support to organize, produce, and broadcast talk shows from the province of Muramvya. Journalists from RTNB will promote dialogue surrounding the transition and peace process giving the population a voice that will then be aired nationally.
15. JAMAA: The original sub-grant for this association was amended to provide a computer, printer, and office supplies for more efficient implementation of the original grant.

C. Indicators of Success

MOU's have been signed with the Governors of each province in Bubanza, Kayanza, and Muramvya to promote peace, work with the BIP, and to encourage participation of the population, particularly in the good governance project and in the rehabilitation of their communities. The governors have also agreed to participate in the implementation of projects by providing transportation of goods and working alongside the population.

NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

• Prepare for the national campaign in support of the Presidential Transfer of Power by May 1.