CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Wits Institutional Repository on DSPACE TANZANIA’S ROLE IN BURUNDI’S PEACE PROCESS STUDENT: SAID J K AMEIR SUPERVISOR DR. ABDUL LAMIN In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Maters in the International Relations, The Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanitaries, UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND DECLARATION I declare that this research work is my own, unaided. It has neither been presented before at Wits University nor in any other Universities for any other award. Signed by Said J K Ameir ………………………… This …… day of ……. …. 2008 i DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family which cares for most of my progress in life. First, my parents who raised and made me became who I am today. I pay special tribute to my father who aside from his decade-long illness has never hesitated to allow me to travel and never bothered by my absence. He has always inspired, motivated and supported me in all my endeavours in life including this one. My wife also deserves special tribute for the undue difficulties she went through, during my absence, when she gave birth to our lovely son Farez. Tribute also goes to my children Mgeni, Lulu and Kauthar for respecting my decision to come to Wits, something which shows that we share the same vision as a family. ii ACKOWLEDGEMENT This research work would not have been possible without the assistance and contribution, by one way or another, of many people. I would therefore like to express my gratitude to the following: First is my supervisor Dr Abdul Lamin for his professional guidance and his steadfast encouragement from the presentation of my first draft proposal to the last chapter. Secondly, the government of the United Republic of Tanzania for sponsoring my studies at Wits and in particular my immediate boss H. E the Vice President Dr Ali Mohammed Shein for granting me permission to study. Thirdly, is Professor Katabaro Miti of the University of Pretoria and his family for their valuable assistance and guidance rendered whenever I asked for. I am also indebted to Mrs Rehema Faraji of the Tanzania High Commission in Pretoria who, upon my arrival, hosted me at her residence before I secured accommodation at Wits. In the list also is Dr. R Mvungi of Wits Medical School and his family who accorded me special attention during my illness here. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance rendered by the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation of Dar es Salaam for availing to me study documents and special mention here goes to Mr Gallus Abeid who had to go through piles of documents in selecting appropriate ones for my study. Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues and friends at Wits particularly postgraduate students at the Department of International Relations, whom we shared the little we managed to get to make our mission a success. Without leaving anybody out, I am grateful to all those who inspired and assisted me throughout my studies both at Wits and back home. iii THE LIST OF ACRONYMES ABASA- African Burundi Alliance for Salvation AMIB- African Mission in Burundi ANADDE- National Alliance for Law and Economic Development AU- The African Union AV-INTWARI- “Alliance of the Valliant” CNDD- National Council for the Defence of Democracy CNN – Cable News Network CSMN – Military Committee for National Salvation ECOWAS- The Economic Community of Western African States EU- The European Union FDD- Forces for the Defence of Democracy FDI Foreign Direct Investment FNL- National Liberation Forces FRODEBU- Front for Democracy in Burundi FROLINA- Front for National Liberation GLR – The Great Lakes Region IGAD – Intergovernmental Authority on Development INKIZO- The Shield MNF- The Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation MOU – Memorandum of Understanding NEPAD – New Partnership for Africa’s Development OAU- The Organization of African Unity PAFMECA- The Pan African Freedom Movement for East and Central Africa PAFMESCA- The Pan African Freedom Movement for East, Central and Southern Africa PALIPEHUTU- Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People PARENA- Party for National Recovery PIT- Independent Workers Party PL Liberal Party PP Party of the People PRP- Party for Reconciliation of the People PSD- Party for Social Democracy RADDES- Rally for Democracy, Social and Economic Development RPB- Rally for People of Burundi SADC- The Southern African Development Community iv TANU- Tanganyika African National Union UN- The United Nations UNOB- The United Nations Office in Burundi UNSC- The United Nations Security Council UPRONA – National Union for Progress US- The United States of America v ABSTRACT The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement was signed in Arusha Tanzania in August 2000. This was a result of countless efforts involving countless players; a process which took nearly six years to find a durable solution to the decades - long Burundi crisis. Tanzania government is one of these players. This study therefore focuses on the role of Tanzania in the Burundi’s Peace Process. The primary argument put forth by the study is that Tanzania played multiple roles including mediation and facilitation, hosting peace talks and Burundi refugees. The study argues that whereas moral obligation could be counted for Tanzania’s involvement, the negative impacts of the Burundi crisis to Tanzania were central to its engagement. The negative impacts were perceived by Tanzanian government authorities as a threat to its national interests, hence warranted a direct response. The study acknowledges that Tanzania’s mediation and facilitation roles were marred by two controversial issues namely; being perceived as ‘biased’ (in favour of the Hutus and hostile to the Tutsis) and also as one which favoured military solutions to the conflict as opposed to other approaches advocated by other players. These allegations are discussed to determine their authenticity and conclusions are made. The study also examines whether or not the coming of Nelson Mandela (and South Africa for that matter) did influence Tanzania’s role and the conclusion is that it did influence because competition for influence between the two countries was obvious when Mandela replaced Mwalimu Nyerere as the major facilitator. The point raised here is that whereas Tanzania wanted to preserve and continue with its influence in the sub-region, South Africa on its part wanted to use that opportunity to penetrate both politically and diplomatically on the one hand and consolidate its economic presence in the sub-region on the other hand. The study asserts that although Burundi has managed to sign the Arusha Accord, secure ceasefire agreements between the Government and the rebel movements and successfully completed the transitional period, the country still faces many challenges which it needs to overcome if it is to build a new, peaceful and united society. In this regard, the study recommends continued support and responsibility by regional states and the international community coupled with close monitoring of the situation in the country. Besides, the study recognises that Tanzania’s role will still remain influential for many years to come in the peace building process in Burundi. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION..................................................................................................................................i DEDICATION.....................................................................................................................................ii ACKOWLEDGEMENT.....................................................................................................................iii THE LIST OF ACRONYMES...........................................................................................................iv ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................vi CHAPTER ONE.............................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................... 2 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY .................................................................................. 2 AIM AND RATIONALE OF THE STUDY............................................................................... 2 HYPOTHESISES ........................................................................................................................ 4 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 4 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK.............................................................................................. 17 EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND METHODOLOGY ........................................................... 30 STUDY OUTLINE.................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER TWO........................................................................................................................... 31 THE BURUNDI PEACE PROCESS ............................................................................................ 31 2.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................