02 May 2004: Statement: Political Dialogue Project in Burundi and the Role of Mr Jan van Eck

ISS STATEMENT ON THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE PROJECT IN BURUNDI

Jan van Eck at the ISS

The Political Dialogue Project in Burundi, which is jointly funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), is now situated at the ISS. Mr Jan van Eck is the sole consultant to the ISS for the project. The project was moved to the ISS on 1 July 2003 and is funded for a two-year period.

Mr Van Eck started the project in 1995 at the request of the Washington-based NGO, Search for Common Ground. The object of the Project was and remains to contribute towards reconciliation, ongoing and inclusive negotiations, the search for home-grown compromise solutions and the progressive development of a democratic culture amongst Burundians.

Over the past nearly nine years Mr van Eck`s role in Burundi has developed from, what was in the beginning, a relatively-speaking passive, ‘listening’ one, to that of a resource person on conflict resolution and negotiations, and more recently that of an active, though informal, independent peace facilitator. He has succeeded in developing both the necessary degree of trust and perceived neutrality amongst virtually all the political role-players, regardless of their ethnic, political or military affiliation. This has enabled him to play a significant role in brokering dialogue, building confidence and breaking down political and ethnic stereotypes. It has also helped him in getting closer to the real truth regarding the fears, concerns, and objectives of the different and opposing parties than most other international players. His success is due primarily to a style of facilitation, which is discreet, empathetic, non-prescriptive and non-partisan.

Under the management of the ISS, the Project will continue to support the Burundi peace process with the specific goals of strengthening the transitional government, supporting the cease-fire negotiation process and encouraging continued constructive external engagement. Since I July 2003 to date, Mr van Eck, visited Burundi four times (from 4 to 14 July, 5 to 19 October, 21 November to 7 December 2003 and 20 February to 6 March 2004) during which occasions he was able to interact with key role-players representing all political and military groupings in Burundi. He also maintained ongoing interaction with the Palipehutu-FNL armed movement, which is still outside the process, both during his visits to Burundi and telephonically from South Africa. In January he visited the Netherlands to participate informally in the talks being held there between the Burundian President, Domitien Ndayizeye and the Palipehutu-FNL. He also recently attended the FNL congress in Tanzania.

Mr Jan van Eck was recently named a “Paul Harris Fellow” by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world”.