Hosted by the African Conflict Prevention Programmes in Addis Ababa and Nairobi.

For Burundi the year 2010 will witness the country’s second post-transitional electoral process. Having concluded protracted negotiations with the last remaining rebel movement, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL (renamed FNL), Burundi appears to be on track with consolidating the results of the peace process which commenced as far back as the mid-1990s. However, the five polls scheduled to take place from 21 May to 7 September 2010 have increased tensions among the political actors in the country, as may be expected. Burundi went into an electoral mode as early as 2008 and following intense but concluded negotiations on the composition of the country’s electoral body (CENI) as well as a revised electoral code, preparations for the five polls are being finalised, although a few challenges remain.

This Seminar aims to discuss and analyse Burundi’s pre-electoral climate. More specifically, following a brief background on early developments, namely the aforementioned negotiations regarding the CENI and the electoral code, the Seminar will discuss Burundi’s readiness to organise the electoral marathon. This will include, amongst others, a discussion on the state of political parties in the country. The event will also touch on Burundi’s security situation, especially concerns regarding the reported militarisation of youth and other supporters of some political factions, and the state of the country’s security forces. The Seminar will conclude by offering some suggestions regarding Burundi’s prospects for peaceful and credible elections as well as recommendations to contribute to this and, finally, some insights into the country’s post-electoral outlook.