A SOCIAL CRISIS IMPACT ON A DEVELOPING COUNTRY’S DIPLOMACY: A CASE STUDY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI
Based on the history of Burundi, it has become an independent country since 1962. But, since that time, there have been a lot of endless social crises that occurred in the country. In relation to this, the Burundians are still experiencing successive massacres and insurgencies that only elevate the extreme condition of poverty. However, the peace agreement process has begun in Arusha, Tanzania in 1996 which somewhat reduced the active conflicts in the place; but still the peace and reconciliation remains the struggling effort in the country since August 2004 massacre in Congolese Banyamulenge in Burundi’s refugee camp. Aside from these, numerous killings and wars are being reported in the Bujumbura Rural province. So, at this time and age, there is a serious need for developmental assistance that can provide total peace in the country. Many scholars and researchers believe that the causes of the endless social conflicts between the people are greatly attributed by the division of ethnicity of several Burundian clans. In fact, even up to this contemporary time, there are still socio-ethnic factions that divide the Burundian people. This is also the root of differential social history of violence and impunity, as well as attributes to the poor condition of the economy of the people. In addition to that, the unjust and mismanagement of the Burundi government elevates more the explosions of regional conflicts and killings among Burundian communities.
(http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/Resources/WP27_Web.pdf)
On the other hand, since November 2001, a gradual transition has begun in the society as well as in the politics. But, there are still many possible negative factors that would trigger the Burundi’s social conflicts. However, there are also many positive factors that suggest many opportunities for peace development as well as peace process and economic assistance from the neighboring countries. There are important factors that the country needs for total reform and development assistance such as for the people to come to realize about the benefits of peace talks from the destructiveness of their conflicts. In view thereof, the country witnessed an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 killings since 1993. The never-ending violence among the Burundians has had a direct impact on the agricultural sector which affects 50 % of national products in the country. The negative impact of dropping down of coffee prices and land erosion made a massive competition among the coffee farmers. Moreover, the Burundian society has not been improved politically because of the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic identities. Subsequently, the chronic post-independence violence gave worst repeated massacres and assassinations as well as series episodes of inter-communal violence; that are also associated with political issues in the country. And, the worst thing is, even the international communities have been ignoring all these social conflicts that really affect tremendously in the economic condition of the country as well as to the poor living condition of the Burundians. Unfortunately, even in the diplomatic level, the attempts at military contingency planning failed because of lack of financial and other support systems from the government. From 1994 up to 1996, the United Nations did an attempt to intervene with the peace negotiation in the country after the assassination of Burundi former President Ndadaye. And, the Burundi’s attempt to control Rwanda; but, this was in vain, because of the insufficient military resources. From then on, there have been many attempts of peace negotiation from the UN officials as well as the other neighboring countries to help in resolving the worst wars or social conflicts in the country, but it seems that the Burundian ethnic groups are really against to any peace negotiations.
(http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/Resources/WP27_Web.pdf)
Consequently, Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world; because of its poor legal system in the government, lack of educational system and the worst thing is this is the place where HIV/AIDS is very prevalent. According to the UN report almost 80 percent of Burundi’s population lives in poverty. And, based on the record of World Food Programme, 56.8 percent of children are suffering severe malnutrition. The country has the record of lowest or poorest quality of living in the world. And, because of this severe situation of the society, the country and the people really depend on the foreign assistance. One more thing about the poor condition of the economy of Burundi is the lack of access among the people to financial service. Eventually, the United Nation has been able to make significant change in the government through popular voted constitution. But still, there are existing difficulties with rebels, with refugees, and with the sustainability of food supplies for the war-weary population. The UN is also doing its great effort to rehabilitate school buildings, orphanages, as well as health clinics and water lines for the Burundian communities.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi)
References:
(http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/Resources/WP27_Web.pdf)
(http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/Resources/WP27_Web.pdf)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi)
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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