“This paper assesses the situation in Burundi with the focus on disarmament
initiatives in the period to the end of
2004. In order to elucidate the complexities
involved in the disarmament process, which mirror those of the entire peace process, it first reviews the current situation in Burundi. The conflict in Burundi has its roots in late 1993, with the assassination of the country’s first democratically
elected president, Melchior Ndadaye. The paper traces the various initiatives that are currently in place to help reconcile and convince the warring parties in Burundi to lay down their arms and opt for the ballot
to decide the country’s future. The research is based on fieldwork and interviews conducted by the author during visits to Burundi in 2004.”
