South Africa’s support to peace and security in Burundi

Since Burundi’s controversial 2015 elections, South Africa has provided electoral support, civil service training and helped develop public institutions.

South African support to Burundi’s stability has been extensive. This report gives an overview of bilateral engagements between the two countries. It outlines opportunities for South African stakeholders to take a more robust, comprehensive and coordinated approach to Burundi, to support long-term peace, security and development. The report focuses on key thematic areas, existing bilateral agreements, the work of civil society and prevailing regional dynamics.

About the authors

Chido Mutangadura is a consultant in the Peace Operations and Peacebuilding programme at the ISS. She is a PhD Candidate at Nelson Mandela University, researching regional initiatives to prevent election-related violence in the run-up to Burundi’s 2015 elections.

Priyal Singh is a researcher in the Peace Operations and Peacebuilding programme at the ISS. He has an MA with distinction in international relations from the University of the Witwatersrand.