Burundi: Supporting Transition to Peace

CARE
Monday, 28 April 2003

International Aid Agencies Urge Support for May 1 Milestone

International aid agencies working in Burundi urge governments of the international community and Burundian parties to work together to ensure a peaceful 1 May transition in the Burundian Presidency and to support the next steps in the Burundi peace process.

The agencies urge that the Arusha Peace Plan and the critical step of the transition in the Burundian Presidency on the 1st of May be respected, and they call for further support to Burundi from international governments with interests in Burundi and the stability of Central Africa.

As Burundi moves toward peace with the 1st May transfer of power to a new transitional president and government, envisioned under the Arusha Peace Plan, the traditional Burundian greeting, 'Amohoro', or ‘peace' resonates more than ever. Burundi, the third poorest nation in the world, has been on a downward economic and social spiral since the civil war began in 1993. Still, in the last two years, the Burundi peace process has made slow but steady progress and May 1st represents a particularly important step.

Peace will not happen without considerable support and cooperation. To capitalize on this opportunity, aid agencies will continue to develop programs geared toward peace and reconciliation as well as social and economic development. They call upon both the international community and Burundians to:

• Make peace a priority: The international community must support the Government of Burundi and other factions in immediately adhering to the ceasefire and ensuring a peaceful transition on May 1st. The Burundian parties must in turn put the interests of the population for peace first.
• Ensure stability: The international community must provide the financial and human resource contributions to ensure the timely deployment of the African Union ceasefire implementation force and observation teams to ensure a peaceful transition and adequate human rights monitoring, including the rights of Burundian refugees to a safe return. The Government of Burundi and other factions must allow people access and the freedom to do their jobs.
• Fund economic and social development: International donors must make good on funding commitments to build on the progress in the peace process. A successful transition on May 1st should be followed rapidly by the release of substantial additional funds as previously pledged by donor governments to support the recovery and development of all in Burundi. These funds must be wisely invested to improve the quality of life of all Burundians.

Resolving the conflict in Burundi is essential and possible. It will contribute to stability within the larger Great Lakes region of Central Africa. The 1st May transition is a critical step in the right direction. For that momentous step to succeed and contribute to a democratic Burundi, everyone must do their part.

CARE International is one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations fighting global poverty. Since 1994, CARE has worked with Burundians to assist them in times of emergency, to help them restore their livelihoods and to promote peace.

German Agro Action fights global hunger and poverty. Since 2001 German Agro Action has assisted Burundians to bridge the gap between emergency, rehabilitation and development. The main objective is to encourage people to develop their self-help potential by facilitating access to food, promoting agricultural inputs and training through an integrated agricultural approach.

IRC is a leading refugee assistance agency founded in 1933 and now working in 28 countries around the world. In Burundi, IRC has been providing humanitarian assistance toreturning refugees, displaced persons and war-affected residentssince 1996, working primarily in sectors of water and sanitation, public health, construction of health centers and schools, emergency education, and distribution of non-food items.

Oxfam International works in partnership with others to overcome poverty and suffering and has operated in Burundi since the 1980s. Oxfam provides humanitarian responses to the most vulnerable inside Burundi and the refugees in Tanzania, as well as implementing projects to trace and counsel unaccompanied children, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and supports HIV/AIDS and livelihoods initiatives. Oxfam also supports human rights groups and local journalists.

Save the Children is the UK's leading international children's charity working in the UK and over 70 countries overseas to make a reality of every child's right to a healthy, happy and secure childhood.

For more information, or to contact CARE, see their website at: www.care.org