Migration in Burundi: History, Current Trends and Future - MGSoG ...

the diaspora provide support in one way or the other to actors in the conflict on the
ground. As aptly argued by Koinova, conflict-generated diasporas are often prone to
support various warring factions in the homeland with lobbying and fund-raising
activities and by recruiting soldiers from within their own communities (Koinova, 2009:1)
(Also see Lyons, 2006, Shain, 2007/2002). These observations have also been noted
elsewhere and posit that the diaspora are able to perpetuate conflicts in their countries of
origin, especially if they are still affected by the traumas from the conflict. 28 The feelings
of traumatic experiences are captured by a general perception of many Burundians,
especially of Hutu background, who become part of the diaspora against their will. They
emphasize this notion by stating that “the oppressed are all here, and both sides –the
oppressed and oppressors are represented in the diaspora” 29 . This view partly explains
the complexities and problems related to disunity among Burundians in the Netherlands,
but it is also a potential obstacle to their contribution to democratization and peace-
building efforts in Burundi.
Although most Burundians still mobilize and organise along ethnic lines, there
are also groups that organize along professional lines. Examples include the groups
Burundi in Action (BIA) in Almere, Reragakura in Gauda, and Burundi Women for
Peace and Development (BWPD) in Rotterdam (cf. Appendix 1). The majority receive
financial support from Dutch development agencies such as the Inter-church
Organisation for Development Co-operation (ICCO), the Catholic Organisation for
Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID), the National Committee for International
Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), the Dutch Organisation for
International Aid (Oxfam-NOVIB), and in some cases the organisations work in
collaboration with government departments and local authorities. Another notable
characteristic of Burundian diaspora in the Netherlands that is worth noting is that they
are not economic refugees, especially the first generation. The majority consider
themselves as victims of the conflict or conflict-generated diaspora (Smith, 2007; Shain
2002). For this reason they consider themselves as purely political refugees 30 . This view is
reinforced by the observation that most Burundian diasporas are often focused on the
political developments at home through the radio and Internet, venues through which
they can engage in cyber wars of words (Turner, 2008). As conflict-generated diaspora,
28 For and elaborate discussion on diasporas and conflict, see Collier and Hoeffler 2000, Byman et al. 2001,
Shain 2002, Sheffer 2003, Adamson 2006 and Lyons 2006).
29 Interview, November 2009
30 Interview with BWPD, November 26, 2009 – Rotterdam
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