Since the new, democratically elected government came
to power in September 2005, the first since 1993, there
has been marked deterioration in Burundi’s political
climate. Led by the National Council for the Defense of
Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy
(CNDD-FDD), the government has arrested critics,
moved to muzzle the press, committed human rights
abuses and tightened its control over the economy.
Unless it reverses this authoritarian course, it risks
triggering violent unrest and losing the gains of the
peace process. The international community needs to
monitor the government’s performance, encouraging it
to adopt a more inclusive approach and remain engaged
even after UN troops depart in December 2006.
