“This policy brief analyses South Africa’s post-conflict development and peacebuilding engagements in Burundi and identifies lessons that could inform the policy and programming development of the envisaged South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA). Burundi is often heralded as a success for South African intervention in African conflict situations and might be expected to provide valuable insights for South Africa’s future engagement. South Africa, however, has maintained only a limited presence in the country since the withdrawal of its troops in 2009. Burundi’s peace remains fragile as it is one of the poorest states on the continent. It is therefore still in dire need of post-conflict development and peacebuilding. South Africa, the policy brief contends, has missed opportunities to follow up on its earlier involvement and consolidate the gains made through peacemaking and
peacekeeping. This marginal post-conflict presence has diminished its overall impact. Its Burundian engagement clearly illustrates the need for a longer-term post-conflict development and peacebuilding vision and strategy.”
