II ~I ~ ~II~ ~~ ~II ~ ~II - IFES

•IFESPre-electionAssessment:BurundiPlaying a vital role in the democratic transition now underway in Burundi are two importantinstitutions, the church and the military. Also critical to the transition process is the ethnic (issue. All of these topics are addressed in detail in this report. The church continues to playan important stabilizing role in Burundi, with renewed vigour since President Buyoya tookpower in 1987. Its contribution to society is acknowledged by the Government and especiallyby the Burundi people. The churches are involved deeply in the fields of education, health andsocial services throughout the nation. The role of the military is an uneasy and changing onefor Burundians. As in most African countries, the economic crisis and depression did not passby Burundi without significantly affecting an already weak subsistence farm economy. Thelarge majority of the population live from farming on very small plots of land weakened bymismanagement, erosion and archaic farming methods.The IFES team notes that the government has retained full control of the democratization \agenda and thus has assumed full responsibility for the process. The Government thereforealso assumes responsibility to begin an honest reconciliatory dialogue with the various factionswhich have brought violence to Burundi in the past, many of which still are not fullyincorporated into the transition process. The IFES team expresses cautious optimism for theprospects of democratization in Burundi in view of the momentum for change built since 1988,the apparent commitment of the government and people to national reconciliation anddemocracy as reflected in the Charter of National Unity and the 1992 Constitution, and therecent statements of the government. The time has come for turning rhetoric into reality, andthat responsibility lies fully with the government. The primary moves needed in this regard arethe legalization of political parties, the strenthening of other institutions necessary fordemocracy such as a free press, and the establishment of an effective civic education program.This is not to say, however, that assistance from the international community should bediscouraged. The IFES team recommends that the international community take active interestin the democratization process in Burundi. There is a bona fide need for internationalassistance as Burundi presently does not have necessary materials and expertise required tolaunch the turnaround from a single party system to multi-partyism. The most urgent needsinclude assistance with the technical aspect of the electoral law; census and voter lists3