Accord de Partage de Pouvoir au Burundi

  • Country/entity
    Burundi
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Accord de Partage de Pouvoir au Burundi
  • Date
    6 Aug 2004
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Burundian Civil War (1993-2005) )
  • Stage
    Framework/substantive - partial
  • Conflict nature
    Government
  • Peace process
    Burundi: Arusha and related peace process
  • Parties
    Signatories Parties of Arusha Peace Agreement and Ceasefire Agreements: Abasa, Anadde (listed but not signed), CNDD, CNDD-FDD (listed but not signed), FNL-ICANZO, FRODEBU, FROLINA, Green Party, INKINZO (listed but not signed), KAZA-FDD, PALIPE AGAKIZA, PARENA (listed but not signed), PIT, PL, PRP (listed but not signed), PSD (listed but not signed), RADDES (listed but not signed), RPB, UPRONA (listed but not signed)
    Parties Non Signatories (of aforementioned agreements): ALIDE (listed but not signed), MRC (listed but not signed), NADDEBU, PACONA (listed but not signed), PADER, PAJUDE, PPDRR, RUSANGI, SONOVI, UPD
    President of the Republic of Burundi: Domitien Ndayizeye
  • Third parties
    Witnesses:
    Facilitator of Burundi Peace Process, Representative of African Union, UN Representative
  • Description
    This agreement deals with the power-sharing mechanisms in Burundi's state institutions.


Groups

  • Children/youth

    No specific mention.

  • Disabled persons

    No specific mention.

  • Elderly/age

    No specific mention.

  • Migrant workers

    No specific mention.

  • Racial/ethnic/national group
    Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
    Page 1, Article 2:
    The representative parties in Burundi agree that they will work together to ensure that their country will never again be exposed to ethnic and political violence, to carnage, insecurity and instability, or to genocide and exclusion.

    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    ...
    - Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

    Page 3, Article 19:
    The composition of the state administration is representative of the Burundian nation, reflecting the diversity of its people, including their gender and ethnicity.

    Page 4, Article 23:
    They agree that these provisions represent an acceptable compromise and the necessary framework for power sharing in Burundi, creating a new order for the country based on unity, solidarity, cooperation between Burundi’s ethnic groups, democracy, peace and stability.
    Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
    Page 1, Article 5:
    Among other things, the Constitution includes a very brief Charter on the fundamental rights and obligations of the individual and the citizen, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens and ethnic groups.

    Page 2, Article 7:
    Every political party will be open to every Burundian, and their national status will be reflected in their organisational structure. Political parties are strictly forbidden to endorse exclusion, violence or hatred in any form, and in particular when directed at individuals on ethnic, tribal, religious or regional grounds.

    Page 2, Article 8:
    They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.

    Page 2, Article 10:
    ...
    The Vice-Presidents must come from different ethnic groups and political parties.

    Page 2, Article 11:
    The Government, made up of a Council of Ministers, includes 60% Hutu Ministers and Vice-Ministers, and 40% Tutsi Ministers and Vice-Ministers.

    Page 2, Article 13:
    The National Assembly will be composed as follows: 60% of Assembly members will be Hutu, 40% of Assembly members will be Tutsi and 3 Assembly Members will be of the Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the Assembly members will be women.

    Page 3, Article 14:
    In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.
    In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

    Page 3, Article 15:
    The Senate will be constituted on the basis of 50/50% representation between the Hutus and Tutsis, plus 3 senators of Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the senators will be women.
    Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.

    Page 3, Article 16:
    The municipal administrators will be 67% Hutu and 33% Tutsi, subject to adjustment by the Senate on the basis of ethnic diversity in each commune.

    Page 3, Article 18:
    State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.

    Page 3, Article 20:
    Reorganisation of state enterprises will be ethnically balanced, using the 60/40 ratio of Hutus and Tutsis as in other state institutions, taking into account all of the actors and competencies in Burundian society.
  • Religious groups
    Groups→Religious groups→Rhetorical
    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    ....
    - Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;
    Groups→Religious groups→Substantive
    Page 2, Article 7:
    Every political party will be open to every Burundian, and their national status will be reflected in their organisational structure. Political parties are strictly forbidden to endorse exclusion, violence or hatred in any form, and in particular when directed at individuals on ethnic, tribal, religious or regional grounds.
  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons

    No specific mention.

  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender
    Page 2, Article 8:
    They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.

    Page 3, Article 13:
    The National Assembly will be composed as follows: 60% of Assembly members will be Hutu, 40% of Assembly members will be Tutsi and 3 Assembly Members will be of the Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the Assembly members will be women.

    Page 3, Article 14:
    In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.
    In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

    Page 3, Article 15:
    The Senate will be constituted on the basis of 50/50% representation between the Hutus and Tutsis, plus 3 senators of Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the senators will be women.
    Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.

    Page 4, Article 19:
    The composition of the state administration is representative of the Burundian nation, reflecting the diversity of its people, including their gender and ethnicity.
  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family

    No specific mention.


State definition

  • Nature of state (general)

    No specific mention.

  • State configuration

    No specific mention.

  • Self determination

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum
    Page 4, Article 22:
    Conscious of the work done by the Facilitator to develop a national consensus, the parties agree that the above-mentioned provisions should be incorporated in the Constitution of Burundi, by referendum and other relevant legislation.
  • State symbols

    No specific mention.

  • Independence/secession

    No specific mention.

  • Accession/unification

    No specific mention.

  • Border delimitation

    No specific mention.

  • Cross-border provision

    No specific mention.


Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)
    Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
    Page 1, Untitled Preamble:
    Having initiated a long consultation process with the Burundian political parties, and Burundian civil society, on the issue of power sharing, the Facilitators have concluded that the following consensus exists among the Burundian people

    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    - Creating and institutionalising a system of democratic governance;
    - Including minority political parties in the general system of governance;
    - Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

    Page 2, Article 7:
    Every political party will be open to every Burundian, and their national status will be reflected in their organisational structure. Political parties are strictly forbidden to endorse exclusion, violence or hatred in any form, and in particular when directed at individuals on ethnic, tribal, religious or regional grounds.

    Page 2, Article 8:
    They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.
    Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→New political institutions (indefinite)
    Page 2, Article 9:
    Burundians also agree that in exercising his executive powers, the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage (except in the first elections) will be assisted by two Vice-Presidents.
    The President of the Republic will nominate the Vice-Presidents and present their candidature for approval by the two Chambers of Parliament elected by the people.

    Page 2, Article 10:
    The President of the Republic is authorised to dismiss the Vice-Presidents.
    The Vice-Presidents must come from different ethnic groups and political parties.
    The Constitution stipulates the specific responsibilities of the President of the Republic and the Vice-Presidents, including their institutional relationships as members of the Presidency, as well as their relations with the Parliament and the rest of the executive.

    Page 3, Article 14:
    In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.
    In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

    Page 3, Article 15:
    ...
    Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.

    Page 3, Article 17:
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.

    Page 4, Article 21:
    By implementing the essential measures described above, it will be possible to address the four challenges of:
    • Reassuring the entire population of Burundi
    • Guaranteeing the country’s stability
    • Establishing national unity and reconciliation
    • Ensuring political, economic and socially inclusive stability.

    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.
  • Elections
    Page 2, Article 8:
    They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.

    Page 2, Article 9:
    Burundians also agree that in exercising his executive powers, the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage (except in the first elections) will be assisted by two Vice-Presidents.
    The President of the Republic will nominate the Vice-Presidents and present their candidature for approval by the two Chambers of Parliament elected by the people.

    Page 2, Article 12:
    Any party gaining at least 5% of votes cast for members of the National Assembly is entitled to serve on the Council of Ministers, in proportion to its representation in the National Assembly.

    Page 3, Article 14:
    In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.
    In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

    Page 3, Article 17:
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.
  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform
    Governance→Political parties reform→Other political parties reform
    Page 1, Untitled Preamble:
    Having initiated a long consultation process with the Burundian political parties, and Burundian civil society, on the issue of power sharing, the Facilitators have concluded that the following consensus exists among the Burundian people

    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    - Creating and institutionalising a system of democratic governance;
    - Including minority political parties in the general system of governance;
    - Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

    Page 2, Article 7:
    Every political party will be open to every Burundian, and their national status will be reflected in their organisational structure. Political parties are strictly forbidden to endorse exclusion, violence or hatred in any form, and in particular when directed at individuals on ethnic, tribal, religious or regional grounds.

    Page 2, Article 8:
    They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.

    Page 3, Article 17:
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.
  • Civil society
    Page 1, Untitled Preamble:
    Having initiated a long consultation process with the Burundian political parties, and Burundian civil society, on the issue of power sharing, the Facilitators have concluded that the following consensus exists among the Burundian people:

    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.
  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration
    Page 3, Article 19:
    The composition of the state administration is representative of the Burundian nation, reflecting the diversity of its people, including their gender and ethnicity.
  • Constitution
    Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    - Creating and institutionalising a system of democratic governance;
    - Including minority political parties in the general system of governance;
    - Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

    Page 1, Article 4:
    The Post-Transition Constitution fully expounds these principles.

    Page 1, Article 5:
    Among other things, the Constitution includes a very brief Charter on the fundamental rights and obligations of the individual and the citizen, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens and ethnic groups.

    Page 1, Article 6:
    The Constitution envisages the establishment of a Constitutional Court which will ensure that the organs of the state, and other institutions and individuals, respect the provisions of the Constitution, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

    Page 3, Article 15:
    The Senate will be constituted on the basis of 50/50% representation between the Hutus and Tutsis, plus 3 senators of Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the senators will be women.
    Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.

    Page 3, Article 17:
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.

    Page 3, Article 18:
    State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.

    Page 4, Article 22:
    Conscious of the work done by the Facilitator to develop a national consensus, the parties agree that the above-mentioned provisions should be incorporated in the Constitution of Burundi, by referendum and other relevant legislation.

    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.

Power sharing

  • Political power sharing
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→Executive coalition
    State level
    Page 2, Article 10:
    The President of the Republic is authorised to dismiss the Vice-Presidents.
    The Vice-Presidents must come from different ethnic groups and political parties.
    The Constitution stipulates the specific responsibilities of the President of the Republic and the Vice-Presidents, including their institutional relationships as members of the Presidency, as well as their relations with the Parliament and the rest of the executive.

    Page 2, Article 11:
    The Government, made up of a Council of Ministers, includes 60% Hutu Ministers and Vice-Ministers, and 40% Tutsi Ministers and Vice-Ministers.
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→Proportionality in legislature
    State level
    Page 2, Article 13:
    The National Assembly will be composed as follows: 60% of Assembly members will be Hutu, 40% of Assembly members will be Tutsi and 3 Assembly Members will be of the Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the Assembly members will be women.

    Page 3, Article 14

    Article 14
    In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.

    In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

    Page 3, Article 15:
    The Senate will be constituted on the basis of 50/50% representation between the Hutus and Tutsis, plus 3 senators of Twa ethnicity. A minimum of 30% of the senators will be women.
    Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→Other proportionality
    State level
    Sub-state level
    Page 3, Article 16:
    The municipal administrators will be 67% Hutu and 33% Tutsi, subject to adjustment by the Senate on the basis of ethnic diversity in each commune.

    Page 3, Article 19:
    The composition of the state administration is representative of the Burundian nation, reflecting the diversity of its people, including their gender and ethnicity.
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→Other
    State level
    Sub-state level
    Article 17
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.
  • Territorial power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Economic power sharing
    Power sharing→Economic power sharing→Fiscal federalism
    Page 3, Article 20:
    Reorganisation of state enterprises will be ethnically balanced, using the 60/40 ratio of Hutus and Tutsis as in other state institutions, taking into account all of the actors and competencies in Burundian society.
  • Military power sharing
    Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
    Page 3, Article 18:
    State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.

Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general
    Page 1, Article 5:
    Among other things, the Constitution includes a very brief Charter on the fundamental rights and obligations of the individual and the citizen, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens and ethnic groups.

    Page 1, Article 6:
    The Constitution envisages the establishment of a Constitutional Court which will ensure that the organs of the state, and other institutions and individuals, respect the provisions of the Constitution, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

    Page 4, Article 24:
    They also agree that the provisions concerning the state of law and the protection of human rights, reassure all elements of Burundian society they they will be able to work in conditions of security and dignity.
  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation

    No specific mention.

  • Civil and political rights

    No specific mention.

  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship
    Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizens, specific rights
    Page 1, Article 5:
    Among other things, the Constitution includes a very brief Charter on the fundamental rights and obligations of the individual and the citizen, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens and ethnic groups.
  • Democracy
    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    - Creating and institutionalising a system of democratic governance;

    Page 3, Article 17:
    As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document. While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.

    Page 4, Article 23:
    They agree that these provisions represent an acceptable compromise and the necessary framework for power sharing in Burundi, creating a new order for the country based on unity, solidarity, cooperation between Burundi’s ethnic groups, democracy, peace and stability.

    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.
  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication

    No specific mention.

  • Mobility/access

    No specific mention.

  • Protection measures
    Rights related issues→Protection measures→Protection of groups
    Page 1,

    Article 3
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be
    used to design the process of implementation, include:

    • Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of
    governance;
  • Other

    No specific mention.


Rights institutions

  • NHRI

    No specific mention.

  • Regional or international human rights institutions

    No specific mention.


Justice sector reform

  • Criminal justice and emergency law

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts
    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    ...
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.
  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws

    No specific mention.


Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction
    Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.
  • National economic plan

    No specific mention.

  • Natural resources

    No specific mention.

  • International funds

    No specific mention.

  • Business

    No specific mention.

  • Taxation

    No specific mention.

  • Banks

    No specific mention.


Land, property and environment

  • Land reform/rights

    No specific mention.

  • Pastoralist/nomadism rights

    No specific mention.

  • Cultural heritage

    No specific mention.

  • Environment

    No specific mention.

  • Water or riparian rights or access

    No specific mention.


Security sector

  • Security Guarantees
    Page 1, Article 2:
    The representative parties in Burundi agree that they will work together to ensure that their country will never again be exposed to ethnic and political violence, to carnage, insecurity and instability, or to genocide and exclusion.

    Page 1, Article 3:
    They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:
    ...
    - Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

    Page 4, Article 24:
    They also agree that the provisions concerning the state of law and the protection of human rights, reassure all elements of Burundian society they they will be able to work in conditions of security and dignity.
  • Ceasefire

    No specific mention.

  • Police
    Page 3, Article 18:
    State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.
  • Armed forces

    No specific mention.

  • DDR

    No specific mention.

  • Intelligence services
    Page 3, Article 18:
    State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.
  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces

    No specific mention.

  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption

    No specific mention.

  • Crime/organised crime

    No specific mention.

  • Drugs

    No specific mention.

  • Terrorism

    No specific mention.


Transitional justice

  • Transitional justice general
    Page 1, Article 2:
    The representative parties in Burundi agree that they will work together to ensure that their country will never again be exposed to ethnic and political violence, to carnage, insecurity and instability, or to genocide and exclusion.
  • Amnesty/pardon

    No specific mention.

  • Courts

    No specific mention.

  • Mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Prisoner release

    No specific mention.

  • Vetting

    No specific mention.

  • Victims

    No specific mention.

  • Missing persons

    No specific mention.

  • Reparations

    No specific mention.

  • Reconciliation
    Page 4, Article 21:
    By implementing the essential measures described above, it will be possible to address the four challenges of:
    ...
    • Establishing national unity and reconciliation

    Page 4, Article 23:
    They agree that these provisions represent an acceptable compromise and the necessary framework for power sharing in Burundi, creating a new order for the country based on unity, solidarity, cooperation between Burundi’s ethnic groups, democracy, peace and stability.

    Page 4, Article 25:
    They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Committees will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to national objectives like national unity and reconciliation.
    This review should enable the people of Burundi to make any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.

Implementation

  • UN signatory
    Witness:
    UN Representative.
  • Other international signatory
    Witnesses:
    Facilitator of Burundi Peace Process, Representative of African Union, UN Representative
  • Referendum for agreement

    No specific mention.

  • International mission/force/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Enforcement mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    http://peacemaker.un.org/

BURUNDI POWER SHARING AGREEMENT

Having initiated a long consultation process with the Burundian political parties, and Burundian civil society, on the issue of power sharing, the Facilitators have concluded that the following consensus exists among the Burundian people:

Article 1

The parties concur with the Arusha Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi and the Global Ceasefire Agreements.

Article 2

The representative parties in Burundi agree that they will work together to ensure that their country will never again be exposed to ethnic and political violence, to carnage, insecurity and instability, or to genocide and exclusion.

Article 3

They agree that the constitutional and legal principles which will guarantee this outcome and will be used to design the process of implementation, include:

Creating and institutionalising a system of democratic governance;

Including minority political parties in the general system of governance;

Protecting and including ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the general system of governance;

Building a national security and justice system in order to guarantee the security of all Burundians, including ethnic minorities.

Article 4

The Post-Transition Constitution fully expounds these principles.

Article 5

Among other things, the Constitution includes a very brief Charter on the fundamental rights and obligations of the individual and the citizen, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens and ethnic groups.

Article 6

The Constitution envisages the establishment of a Constitutional Court which will ensure that the organs of the state, and other institutions and individuals, respect the provisions of the Constitution, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Article 7

Every political party will be open to every Burundian, and their national status will be reflected in their organisational structure.

Political parties are strictly forbidden to endorse exclusion, violence or hatred in any form, and in particular when directed at individuals on ethnic, tribal, religious or regional grounds.

Article 8

They also agree that the lists of candidates presented by these parties for the elections which will be held according to the principles of direct universal suffrage should be of an inclusive, multi-ethnic nature and address the imperative of gender equality.

Article 9

The Burundians also agree that in exercising his executive powers, the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage (except in the first elections) will be assisted by two Vice-Presidents.

The President of the Republic will nominate the Vice-Presidents whose candidature he will submit for prior approval by the two Chambers of Parliament elected by the people.

Article 10

The President of the Republic is authorised to dismiss the Vice-Presidents.

The Vice-Presidents shall come from different ethnic groups and political parties.

The Constitution stipulates the specific responsibilities of the President of the Republic and the Vice-Presidents, including their institutional relationships with each other as members of the Presidency, as well as their relations with the Parliament and the rest of the executive.

Article 11

The Government, made up of a Council of Ministers, shall include 60% Hutu Ministers and Vice-Ministers, and 40% Tutsi Ministers and Vice-Ministers, taking into account their general representation.

Article 12

Any party gaining at least 5% of votes cast for members of the National Assembly is entitled to serve on the Council of Ministers, in proportion to its representation in the National Assembly.

Article 13

The National Assembly will be composed as follows:

60% of Assembly members will be Hutu, 40% of Assembly members will be Tutsi and 3 Assembly Members will be of the Twa ethnicity.

A minimum of 30% of the Assembly members will be women.

Article 14

In order to ensure that the ethnic and gender balance specified in the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation is realised a co-optation mechanism will be used to address any imbalance which may result from the elections.

In this regard, in addition to the directly elected assembly members, a number of seats will be distributed, through the co-optation mechanism, among the parties which reach the threshold.

Article 15

The Senate will be constituted on the basis of 50/50% representation between the Hutus and Tutsis, plus 3 senators of Twa ethnicity.

A minimum of 30% of the senators will be women.

Amongst other powers, the Senate will be endowed with the authority to approve amendments to the Constitution and constitutional law, and to monitor compliance with constitutional provisions requiring ethnic, tribal, religious, cultural, regional and gender diversity and balance in all structures and institutions of the state.

Article 16

The municipal administrators will be 67% Hutu and 33% Tutsi, subject to adjustments which may be introduced by the Senate on the basis of actual ethnic diversity in each commune.

Article 17

As is normal and acceptable in every democracy, political parties will be free to create their own agreements and coalitions which may affect any power sharing between them, without affecting the shares specified in this document.

While these will be permitted, given their private nature, these will be separate from anything stipulated in the Constitution or in legislation.

Article 18

State defence and security organisations including Defence, Police and Intelligence Services are staffed according to the allocations approved during the transition period, mindful of the need to ensure ethnic balance and prevent acts of genocide and unconstitutional seizure of power.

Article 19

The composition of the state administration is representative of the Burundian nation, reflecting the diversity of its people, including their gender and ethnicity.

Article 20

Reorganisation of state enterprises will be ethnically balanced, using the 60/40 ratio of Hutus and Tutsis as in other state institutions, taking into account all of the actors and competencies in Burundian society.

Article 21

By implementing the essential measures described above, it will be possible to address the four challenges of:

Reassuring the entire population of Burundi

Guaranteeing the country’s stability

Establishing national unity and reconciliation

Ensuring political, economic and socially inclusive stability.

Article 22

Conscious of the work done by the Facilitator to develop a national consensus, the parties agree that the above-mentioned provisions should be incorporated in the Constitution of Burundi, by referendum and other relevant legislation.

Article 23

They agree that these provisions represent an acceptable compromise and the necessary framework for power sharing in Burundi, creating a new order for the country based on unity, solidarity, cooperation between Burundi’s ethnic groups, democracy, peace and stability.

Article 24

They also agree that the provisions concerning the state of law and the protection of human rights, reassure all elements of Burundian society they they will be able to work in conditions of security and dignity.

Article 25

They also agree that within five years of creating the institutions foreseen in the new Constitution, the Government, the Parliament and the appropriate National Councils will carry out an inclusive national consultation, to assess how effectively the above measures have contributed to such national objectives as national unity and reconciliation.

This review should enable the people of Burundi to update any constitutional, legal, political and institutional measures needed to ensure that the country attains the fundamental goals of democracy, peace, national unity and reconciliation, and development.

Article 26

The parties wish to express their sincere appreciation for the work done by the Facilitator in order to promote and expedite the Burundi Peace Process, and ask the Facilitator to remain committed to the future of Burundi.

Done and signed in Pretoria, August 6, 2004

Parties to the Arusha Agreement and the ceasefire agreements

Signatures