Disarmament and the transition in Burundi: How soon?

This paper assesses the situation in Burundi with the focus on disarmament initiatives in the period up to the end of 2004.

This paper assesses the situation in Burundi with the focus on disarmament initiatives in the period up to the end of 2004. In order to elucidate the complexities involved in the disarmament process, which mirror those of the entire peace process, it first reviews the current situation in Burundi by examining the various structures in place with regard to disarmament. The paper further analyses the various hindrances standing in the way to a peaceful transition in Burundi, expected to take place in the first half of 2005. Various observations emerge at the conclusion of the paper. 

About the author

Nelson Alusala joined the ISS in June 2003 as Senior Researcher on Central Africa in the Arms Management Programme. Prior to this he was based in the Office of the President, Kenya, where he was an analyst on issues relating to arms proliferation, stockpiling and disarmament in East and Central Africa. Alusala is a trained diplomat and bilingual secretary/tutor (English/French), having attained a MA degree in International Relations (University of Nairobi) and a BA in French and Secretarial (Kenyatta University). He has authored widely and his other published works on Central Africa include A Step Towards Peace – Disarmament in Africa (Monograph), “African Standby Force – East Africa Moves on” (Essay), “The arming of Rwanda, and the Genocide” (Article) and “DRC in Review: 2003 (Commentary). Alusala has also contributed to various publications, such as Echoes Across the Valley; Managing Dry Land Resources: a Manual for Eastern and Southern Africa; French Grammar Manual for Teachers of French in Kenya: The Role of the OAU/AU in Conflict Management: The Case of the Comoros (1996-1999), among others.