ISS Seminar, Pretoria: Burundi 2010: Analysis of the Country's Pre-Electoral Climate
Date: 2010-03-02
Venue: Venue ISS Conference Room
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, Block C, Brooklyn Court
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, 361 Veale Street
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, New Muckleneuk
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, (Parking in Brooklyn Mall and ABSA court)
RSVP: Khunjulwa Peter
Tel: (012) 346 9500
Fax: (012) 460 0997/ 086 508 1660
E-mail: [email protected]
For Burundi the year 2010 will witness the country’s second post-transitional electoral process. Having recently 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 May to September 2010 have increased tensions among the political actors in the country. Following intense but concluded negotiations on the composition of the country’s electoral body (CENI) as well as a revised electoral code, Burundi’s political landscape appears to continue to experience challenges that may impact on the organisation of free and fair elections later in the year.
This Seminar aims to discuss and analyse these challenges as well as the ongoing efforts to organise the polls. More specifically, there will be discussions on the aforementioned negotiations regarding the CENI and the electoral code as well as the security situation in the country, especially concerns regarding the reported militarisation of youth and other supporters of some political factions. Furthermore, the Seminar will touch on the recent split in the FNL and issues regarding the other key contestants during the upcoming polls. 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.
SPEAKER
Jamila El Abdellaoui
Senior Researcher ACPP Addis Ababa
RESPONDENT
Jean-Marie Gasana
Independent Researcher Burundi
Presented by the Peace Missions Programme
Please note that discussions occur under ISS Rules.
