This paper constitutes a summary attempt at reconstructing Burundi's approach to dealing with the past. First, a brief presentation is made of the kind of legacy of violence Burundi is facing. Next, I will summarize how in the immediate aftermath of the various cycles of violence, justice was rendered (or, more adequately, not rendered). Thirdly, a presentation will be made of what, at least at the level of public discourse — both at the national and at the international level — cconstituted the stated transitional justice policy for Burundi. Fourthly, the paper will show how essentially political parameters have determined the practice of transitional justice during and after the period of transition. In Sect. 6, the current state of affairs will be summarized. Section 7 briefly refers to the traditional Bashingantahe mechanism. Finally, some tentative conclusions will be formulated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Amnesty International (1988) Burundi: killings of children by government troops. London
Bell C (2000) Peace agreements and human rights. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Carothers T (2002) The end of the transition paradigm. J Democracy 13 (1):6
Chrétien J-P, Dupaquier J-F (2007) Burundi 1972 — Au bord des génocides. Karthala, Paris
Cruvellier T (2006) Le tribunal des vaincus. Calmann-Lévy, Paris
Dexter T, Ntahombaye P (2005) The role of informal justice systems in fostering the rule of law in post-conflict situations. The case of Burundi. Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva
Erler B, Reyntjens F (1992) Les événements de novembre-décembre 1991 au Burundi: rapport d'une mission d'enquête. NCOS, Brussels
Guichaoua A (ed) (1995) Les crises politiques au Burundi et au Rwanda (1993–1994). Analyses, faits et documents. Karthala, Paris
International Crisis Group (2000) Unblocking Burundi's peace process: political parties, political prisoners and freedom of the press. Brussels, June 2000
International Crisis Group (2006) Burundi. Democracy and peace at risk. Brussels
International Crisis Group (2007) Burundi: Conclure la paix avec les FNL. Brussels
IRIN (2003) Approval of temporary immunity law sparks heated debate. Nairobi, 3 September 2003
OAG, FORSC, Ligue Iteka (2006) Communiqué de Presse. Bujumbura, 9 March 2006. Observatoire de l'Action Gouvernementale (OAG), FORSC (Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile) and Ligue Iteka
Kritz N (ed) (1995a) Transitional justice. How emerging democracies reckon with former regimes, vols. 3. USIP, Washington DC
Kritz N (1995b) The problem of impunity and judicial reform in Burundi. Washington
Lemarchand R (1994) Burundi. Ethnocide as discourse and practice. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Manirakiza M (1992) Burundi: de la révolution au régionalisme 1966–1976. Le Mat de Misaine, Bruxelles
Manirakiza Z (2002) Modes traditionnels de règlement des conflits: l'Institution des Bashingantahe. Au Cœur de l'Afrique 2002:39–58
Minority Rights Group (1974) Génocide sélectif au Burundi. London
Naniwe-Kaburahe A (2008) The institution of Bashingantahe in Burundi. In: Huyse L and Salter M (eds) Traditional justice and reconciliation after violent conflict. Learning from African experiences. International IDEA, Stockholm
Ndikumana E (2006) Burundi: la libération de détenus pourrait raviver les tensions ethniques. AFP, 15 January 2006
Nindorera E (2003) L'agencement et l'applicabilité des différentes lois en matière de lutte contre l'impunité au Burundi. Bujumbura, Octobre 2003
Nindorera E (2006) Pas de réconciliation véritable sans justice. Bujumbura, 30 March 2006
Ntahombaye P, Ntabona A et al (eds) (1999) L'institution des Bashingantahe au Burundi. Etude pluridisciplinaire. Bujumbura
O'Donnell G, Schmitter P (1986) Transition from authoritarian rule: tentative conclusions about uncertain democracies. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
Reydams L (2005) The ICTR ten years on. Back to the Nuremberg paradigm? J Int Criminal Justice 3:977–988
Reyntjens F (2000) Burundi: prospects for peace. Minority Rights Group, London
Subotic J (2005) Hijacked justice: domestic appropriation of international norms. Human Rights and Human Welfare Working Paper Series, University of Wisconsin. http://www.du.edu/gsis/hrhw/working/2005/28-subotic-2005.pdf
Teitel R (2000) Transitional Justice. Oxford University Press, Oxford
UNDP (2005) Rapport national sur le développement humain. Bujumbura
Vandeginste S (2006) Théorie consociative et partage du pouvoir au Burundi. Discussion Paper, Institute of Development Policy and Management, University of Antwerp. http://www.ua.ac.be/main.aspx?c=.IOBE&n=38974
Vandeginste S (2008) Burundi: entre le modèle consociatif et sa mise en oeuvre. In: Marysse S et al (eds) L'Afrique des Grands Lacs. Annuaire 2007–2008. L'Harmattan, Paris, 55–75
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vandeginste, S. (2009). Transitional Justice for Burundi: A Long and Winding Road. In: Ambos, K., Large, J., Wierda, M. (eds) Building a Future on Peace and Justice. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85754-9_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85754-9_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-85753-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-85754-9
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawLaw and Criminology (R0)