Briefing Paper 10 2016 Escalating Conflict in Burundi The Challenges of Overcoming Radicalisation Astrid Jamar Key Points: • The current conflict in Burundi stems from both controversy over the presidential elections and previously unsettled political issues. • In today’s context, key actors in the conflict have adopted increasingly radicalised political positions. This has exacerbated the conflict and limited opportunities to move towards a solution. • Burundi has never truly been the success story it is lauded to be. Despite significant progress in terms of security and institutional reforms, the Burundian political scene has remained fragile and is marked by severe conflicts within and between different political parties. • By failing to address and accept these dimensions, national, regional and international efforts carry only limited capacity to improve the situation. • Widening the debate to include other issues would open up the possibility of going beyond the questions of for versus anti third presidential term for Nkurunziza and find common ground. • In order to create a favourable environment for a sustainable and inclusive political settlement, the radicalisation processes of key actors in the conflict needs to be understood and addressed. The Political Settlements Programme Consortium | @PolSettlements |
[email protected] Global Justice Academy, School of Law, Old College, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, EH8 9YL PSRP is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), UK Political Settlements Research Programme (PSRP) Global Justice Academy School of Law Old College The University of Edinburgh South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9YL Tel. +44 (0)131 651 4566 Fax. +44 (0)131 650 2005 E-mail:
[email protected] www.politicalsettlements.org @PolSettlements This research is an output from the Political Settlements Research Programme (PSRP), funded by UK Aid from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries.