The humanitarian impacts of economic sanctions on Burundi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Regional <strong>economic</strong> <strong>sanctions</strong> were imposed against Burundi
in response to the July 25, 1996 military coup led by Major Pierre
Buyoya. <strong>The</strong> sanctioning countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda,
Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia and Zaire) demanded the immediate
restoration <strong>of</strong> Burundi’s National Assembly, the reinstatement <strong>of</strong>
political parties, and unconditional negotiations between all parties
to the conflict.
Sanctions began as a total <strong>economic</strong> blockade. Over time,
however, <strong>humanitarian</strong> concerns expressed primarily by the UN
organizations and NGOs led to their gradual relaxation, permitting
closely monitored importation to Burundi <strong>of</strong> limited quantities
<strong>of</strong> essential <strong>humanitarian</strong> supplies. At the same time, intensive
cross-border smuggling and pr<strong>of</strong>iteering diluted <strong>sanctions</strong>’ impact.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>humanitarian</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>economic</strong> <strong>sanctions</strong> on Burundi
must be measured against nearly four years <strong>of</strong> internal crisis,
violence, and civil war. <strong>The</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> wartime destruction, with an
estimated 100,000 civilians killed, nearly one million displaced,
and immeasurable infrastructural and <strong>economic</strong> damage exceeds
by massive proportions any particular <strong>impacts</strong> <strong>of</strong> the subsequent
embargo.
<strong>The</strong> Socio<strong>economic</strong> Impacts <strong>of</strong> Sanctions
Burundi is overwhelmingly rural and its economy almost
wholly based on agriculture. To some extent, the rural subsistence
economy has shielded rural families from <strong>sanctions</strong>’ negative
effects. Those most affected have been Burundi’s urban population,
as well as the displaced and other vulnerable families highly
dependent on international <strong>humanitarian</strong> assistance.
Burundi historically generates more than $100 million annually
in exports, mostly c<strong>of</strong>fee and tea. Much <strong>of</strong> this revenue has
been lost due to the <strong>sanctions</strong>’ ban on exports. However, Burundi
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