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PHONE
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Uganda |
+
256773449606 |
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| USA |
+ 19175366728 |
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| DRC |
+
243994288874 |
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| Rwanda |
+ 25008753598 |
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| Burundi |
+
25779480694 |
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THE
GREAT LAKES REGION - BURUNDI |
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Burundi is a country where a silent genocide
took place, and it has still never been exposed.
The current leadership of His Excellency PETER NKURUNZIZA
of CNDD/FDD came about a a result of a protracted struggle
that started in 1993 after the assissination of a popularly
elected president, the late MALCHOIR NDANDAYE. |
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NDANDAYE was assassinated because
the army, which was dominated by Tutsis, could not stand having
a Hutu as a President. For generations, since independence,
Burundi had been headed by a Tutsi.
Like Rwanda, Burundi is made up of three ethnic groups : the
Hutu, who are the majority ,the Tutsis, who comprise around
6% of the population, and the minority Twa, who are pygymies
commonly referred to as forest people).
Before the elections
of 1993 and subsequent assassination of the elected president,
all the three ethnic groups lived together in Harmony. This
was particularly the case in rural areas. Rural communities
had no problems due to ethnicity and class, and lived together
peacefully.
The Hutus are the majority and were denied basic facilities
such as access to higher education ,medical care ,employment
in government, etc. This angered them, and although they were
not in the army, they overwhelmed the Tutsis after the death
of the Hutu President in 1993. They began by killing any Tutsi
who was living among them, because the army, mainly composed
of Tutsis, had killed their Hutu President. In retaliation,
the army moved into the villages. Wherever they found a dead
Tutsi they would clear the whole village.
Prior to this, Bagaza’s cousin Buyoya, organised a bloodless
coup in 1987, but the international community and regional
heads of states put pressure on him until he succumbed and
organised elections which saw MELCHOIR NDANDAYE become the
first Hutu president of BURUNDI. His elevation to such high
office would not last for long.
The assassination of Ndandaye opened the eyes of Hutus , and
they started a rebellion using state resources. The FRODEBU
party that had won elections still remained in power though
without much control. The rebellion was supported by the President
of Tanzania, the late Julius Nyerere, and the President of
Congo, the late Mumbutu. By 2000 the rebels had gained strength
in both numbers and territories they were controlling.
The
international community, looking at what was going on in Rwanda,
where the former army of Habyarimana had continued to be a
source of insecurity in the region ,pressured the government
of Burundi and the rebels to share power on a rotational basis,
where a Tutsi would be President for eighteen months with
a Hutu Vice President, and after that period vice versa.
They
agreed and it worked during the three years that were regarded
as a transitional period, which allowed rebel groups to join
government and participate in general elections which were
organized in 2005. That saw Peter Nkurunziza of CNDD / FDD
go through unopposed as Head of State, being the second elected
Hutu president since independence.
The elections were conducted through the legislative system,
not universal suffer rage, and this period, 2005-2010, is
considered transitional. It is hoped that in 2010 they will
hold general elections, where each citizen older than eighteen
will participate in voting for the president. .
So far so good, the current President has tried his best to
spear head genuine reconciliation and all ethnic groups have
embraced it.
However, one rebel group still remains at large. They have
walked out of peace talks that would have culminated in an
end to rebellion in Burundi, though they have continued to
respect the cease fire they signed with government that was
backed by the regional countries.
The presence of African Union forces from South Africa has
continued to put pressure on the remaining rebel force, and
there is hope that soon they will join the government so that
Burundi can experience total peace for the first time.
Burundi is an excellent place for relaxing after a hectic
trip in neighbouring countries. It is also a good entry point
to the region for independent travellers as it is strategically
located along Lake Tanganyika that shares borders with Tanzania,
Zambia and Eastern DRC.
Cultural tourism is a draw in Burundi as it is one of the
countries in the great lakes region where the culture, especially
in rural areas, has not been diluted by western cultures as
they never had visitors due to long years of civil war.
Burundians are friendly, warm people who are welcoming to
foreigners.
We would very much encourage people to visit Burundi to help
the people recover economically; unfortunately it is one of
the poorest countries in the world.
Some of the highlights we organize in Burundi are:
- Trekking chimpanzees in Kibira National park
- Doing a game drive in Ruvubu National park near the
border with Tanzania for hippos and buffalos
- Visiting Rusizi river for crocodile viewing and hippos,
just near the Airport in Bujumbura at the border with
DRC, towards Uvira town in DRC.
- Visiting a collection of reptiles in the zoo within
Bujumbura city.
- Cultural tours in the Province of Gitega to visit drum
makers and where one can trace the history of Burundi.
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