Reducing Conflict And Building Stability On The Burundi-Tanzania Border
Year(s): 2017 – 2019.
Location: Burundi/Tanzania International Border.
UN Regional Group: Africa.
Type of Conflict: Risk of Horizontal (non-state) Intrastate Conflict, Risk of an Interstate Conflict.
Type of Initiative: Stabilising borders.
Main Implementing Organisation(s): The UN.
Impact: Limited.
Summary: The UN has helped to manage conflict and instability along the international border between Burundi and Tanzania, reducing the likelihood of armed conflict between communities and minimising the risk of an interstate conflict.
Description of Case
The border between Burundi and Tanzania has represented a source of conflict for decades, with hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees crossing into Tanzania during periods of unrest and rebel forces using Tanzanian territory to stage attacks on the Burundian administration.[1] In 1997, the armed forces of each state engaged each other along the frontier in a series of clashes that cost the lives of dozens of people.[2] The announcement that President Pierre Nkurunziza would run for an unconstitutional third term in 2015 sparked unrest across Burundi, driving over 400,000 people from their homes, half of whom fled across the border to Tanzania.[3] The persistence and sheer scale of cross-border displacement represents a source of contention between the governments of each state and has a profound impact on the livelihoods of the population living near the border.[4] A key concern highlighted by the UN was the potential for refugees returning to Burundi to ‘risk aggravating existing tensions and causing renewed violence in a country where the rule of law and the judicial system are considerably weakened,’ particularly when much of the land in Burundi is contested.[5]
Recognising the potential for conflict, the UN Peacebuilding Fund developed a project to build peace and stability in the area in 2017. Based on input from UN Development Programme, the International Organisation for Migration, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, the project aimed to mitigate conflict and instability associated with forced displacement and provide protection for displaced persons.[6] The focus of the project was to build the capacity of border officials from both states in areas such as protective border management and human rights. In addition, joint trainings were carried out with officials from both states to improve cooperation. The project also worked with displaced persons, returnees, and host communities to ensure socio-economic opportunities were available for all, and embedded conflict resolution mechanisms (alternative dispute resolution, paralegal, mediation, counselling, and referral services) to ensure disputes within and between the communities remained peaceful.[7] An independent evaluation found the conflict prevention aspects of the project to be the most successful and recommends its expansion.[8]
[1] Howard Wolpe. “Making Peace After Genocide: Anatomy of the Burundi Process.” Peaceworks, No. 70. (2011) p.21
[2] Moyiga Nduru. “BURUNDI-TANZANIA: Border Clash.” Inter Press Service. (1997) Available at: http://www.ipsnews.net/1997/10/burundi-tanzania-border-clash/ (Accessed 24/11/2020)
[3] Christian Bugnion de Moreta. Final Independent Evaluation of the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project entitled: Preventing conflict and building peace through addressing the drivers of conflict and instability associated with forced displacement between Burundi and Tanzania. (UNDP, 2019) p.10
[4] Jaclynn Ashly. “Burundian refugees fear a hostile Tanzania.” New Frame. (2020) Available at: https://www.newframe.com/burundian-refugees-fear-a-hostile-tanzania/ (Accessed 24/11/2020)
[5] UN Peacebuilding Support Office. Preventing conflict and building peace through addressing the drivers of conflict and instability associated with forced displacement between Burundi and Tanzania. (UN, 2018) Available at: https://open.undp.org/projects/00109331 (Accessed 24/11/2020)
[6] UNDP. Preventing Conflict And Building Peace. (UNDP, 2020) Available at: https://open.undp.org/projects/00109331 (Accessed 24/11/2020)
[7] UN Peacebuilding Support Office. Preventing conflict and building peace through addressing the drivers of conflict and instability associated with forced displacement between Burundi and Tanzania. pp.46-7
[8] Christian Bugnion de Moreta. Final Independent Evaluation of the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project entitled: Preventing conflict and building peace through addressing the drivers of conflict and instability associated with forced displacement between Burundi and Tanzania. p.32