The Burundian people, economy, and state structures have suffered heavily from a decade of fighting. As a ceasefire is set in place and the peace process gains momentum, the time is ripe for the international community to resume aid programmes. But how can donors also play a role in building peace? This document by the International Crisis Group examines the need for responsible aid and offers extensive recommendations to donors and the wider international community for the key role they can play in Burundi.
The prudence so far practiced by the international community in delivering aid to Burundi has actually been counter-productive. The international community’s complete engagement is now necessary to move Burundi from war to peace. Depending on what types of aid are provided, to whom and what conditions are attached, responsible aid can have a very powerful role for future peace and stability.
There are manifold potentials for responsible aid to Burundi. It could consolidate the credibility of the transitional government and become an engine for reforms. It could also address the structural causes of the conflict and help to build peace. Other relevant findings include:
- Dividends will provide an essential incentive for the rebels to maintain the ceasefire. Financial support is also necessary for the formation of a government coalition and the reconstruction of the social and economic infrastructure.
- Peace dividends will also signal the international community’s commitment to the peace process, and give the rebel-fighters incentives to negotiate and accept the disarmament and reintegration process.
- Donors will also have the necessary leverage to pressure the transitional government on the reforms outlined in Protocol IV of the Arusha Agreement. Issues include institutional reform, reconstruction and development.
The international community must give the financial and political support necessary to implement the Arusha accords or face the potential consequences of its collapse. Some of the policy relevant recommendations include:
- Donors should immediately provide resources for the deployment of the African Observer Mission, the work of the ceasefire implementation commission and the sustainability and expansion of food distributions to rebel groups.
- Resources should also be provided for the demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants, the reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons, supporting immediate reconstruction where possible.
- The World Bank, European Union and United Nations Development Programme community-based reconstruction programs should be harmonised to reinforce decentralisation mechanisms and insist on true community involvement in the identification of priorities.
- Donors should also develop a donor coordination unit which would create a joint strategy for the transition period, integrate the existing donor programs and work with the government to revise its interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.
- Donor coordination unit should also develop and monitor ‘aid-for-peace bargains’ with the transitional government and keep the government informed of what money will be available, when, and what must be done to receive it.
