USAID Field Report Burundi Dec 2005

Program Description
The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) supports the ongoing peace process in Burundi as outlined in the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement by strengthening local capacities to benefit from and contribute to the peace process. PADCO Inc., the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the national nongovernmental organization African Strategic Impact implement OTI's Community-Based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative (CPRI) and manage CPRI's field offices in Gitega and Ruyigi Provinces. CPRI's four components - the Community-Based Leadership Program, Vocational Skills Training, Community Initiatives and media - strengthen local-level cooperation for conflict mitigation, help diverse groups generate non-farm income, and increase knowledge and participation in public dialogue on current issues. The four components work closely with community groups, government entities, media outlets, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and other USAID offices to maximize the positive outcomes of their efforts. Since February 2004, OTI has invested $ 4,815,721 in these activities through 247 small grants. The CPRI program has been extended through June 30, 2006.

Country Situation

President Nkurunziza visits Belgium and the Netherlands -- On his first official visit as head of state since his inauguration on Aug. 26, President Pierre Nkurunziza visited Belgium and the Netherlands from Dec. 5 to 11. The president met with Louis Michel, the European commissioner in charge of development and humanitarian aid; Burundian military officials, and military candidates in training. During his visit, President Nkurunziza called on leaders of the European Union to increase support for peace-building and development in Burundi.

President Nkurunziza participates in inauguration in Tanzania -- President Nkurunziza attended the inauguration of the newly elected Tanzanian president, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. The ceremony, which was held on Dec. 21, was attended by many African leaders, including the king of Lesotho and the presidents of South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Mozambique, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Zambia. During his visit to Tanzania, President Nkurunziza also met with Burundian refugees.

CNDD-FDD celebrates winning national elections -- On Dec. 19, the political party CNDD-FDD celebrated its triumph in the national elections held in June and July. The ceremony took place in Bujumbura's Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium and was attended by President Nkurunziza, the second vice-president, leaders from both the Parliament and Senate, and the president of the CNDD-FDD, Hussein Radjabu. President Nkurunziza also thanked his supporters, as well as the media and other institutions, which, he said, enabled a free and fair electoral process.

U.N. peacekeepers to downsize -- The United Nations Operation in Burundi (UNOB) will start withdrawing its troops from Burundi on Dec. 28, as requested by the Burundian government. The United Nations Security Council decided that the 5,000 UNOB troops will be reduced by 40 percent by the end of April 2006. The Mozambican contingent of 175 men will be the first to leave, followed by 817 Kenyans in mid-February 2006. Ethiopian and Jordanian contingents will depart in March.

The National Forces of Liberation (FNL) sustains losses -- About 120 FNL rebels have been killed and more than 650 captured since October, according to the Burundian minister of defense, Gen. Germain Niyoyankana. In the meantime, government soldiers have continued the tracking of Palipehutu-FNL elements, capturing 10 alleged combatants in Buhina in Rural Bujumbura on Dec. 15. There have also been voluntary surrenders. According to the governor of Rural Bujumbura, 786 former Palipehutu-FNL collaborators dissociated themselves from the movement on Dec. 10. However, there has been known movement of FNL troops in other areas of the country, apart from Rural Bujumbura. In a press conference held on Dec. 8, the U.N. security force, UNOB, acknowledged the presence of armed groups from the Palipehutu-FNL movement along the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. UNOB does not expect any direct action despite the demand of the Burundian government to ensure border security. President Nkurunziza has promised that the "question of the FNL will be solved" by the end of 2005.

Former president and high officials accused of corruption - Former head of state Domitien Ndayizeye, Vice-President Alphonse-Marie Kadege, former Minister of Finance Athanase Gahungu, and the present governor of the Central Bank have been accused of corruption in a case known as the Lubelski Affair. This refers to a decision by the Burundian government in 1968 that unilaterally put an end to a contract with the family of Moses Lubelski, a Belgian citizen, for the exporting of diamonds and other precious stones. The Lubelski family sued and won damages of $800,000. When the Burundian government decided to pay in 2003, the sum had jumped to approximately $3 million due to accumulated interest. It is alleged that high-ranking officials embezzled approximately $1 million of that sum. The Audit Court of Bujumbura heard former head of state Ndayizeye say that he had nothing to hide and that he always had acted in the interests of the Burundian state. Vice-President Kadege denies any involvement in the affair. Athanase Gahungu is believed to have fled the country.

UNDP launches its 2006-2007 program - The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) officially launched its 2006-2007 cooperation program for Burundi on Nov. 19. The 2006-2007 budget of $37 million is earmarked to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS and to promote good governance. The official ceremony was attended by representatives of UNDP and the second vice-president of the Burundian government, Alice Nzomukunda.

OCHA appeals for funds to assist development - The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) appealed for $128 million in humanitarian aid for Burundi in 2006. More than half the funds will go to long-term development, according to Jean Sebastien Munie, the interim head of OCHA, Burundi. A considerable amount will be used to improve protection, human rights and food security, and to provide vulnerable groups with better access to basic social services. The Burundi appeal was made on behalf of U.N. humanitarian agencies, as well as 21 local and international nongovernmental organizations that operate in Burundi.

Burundi receives funds from Germany to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS - Germany has granted Burundi 9.5 million euros ($11 million) for a one-year program aimed at reducing poverty across the country by providing safe drinking water, fighting HIV/AIDS, and promoting peace and reconciliation. A spokeswoman at the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development said the grant would cover the period from December 2005 to December 2006 and would prioritize water projects. The latest grant follows one for 17 million euros that Germany committed to Burundi in November when it officially resumed cooperation with the central African nation. Germany had suspended its cooperation with Burundi in 1993 following the outbreak of civil war.

USAID/OTI Highlights

A. Narrative Summary

OTI Washington deputy for Africa programs visits Burundi - For much of December, Donna Kerner, OTI deputy team leader for Africa programs, was in Burundi visiting OTI-supported programs, meeting with implementing partners, and working on the final cycle of Vocational Skills Training. The training component of the Community-Based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative has been highly praised both by the international and the local communities. Donna Kerner is currently the acting OTI country representative for Burundi.

Minister of education and culture visits school in Bwoga - The minister of education and culture, Saidi Kibeya, visited the Vocational Skills Training (VST) school in Bwoga, Gitega, on Dec. 6. The minister was accompanied by the general director of skills training, as well as the OTI representative, Donna Kerner. The general director suggested that the VST school should serve as a model for skills-training programs country-wide. This sentiment and visit are a high compliment to the program, recognizing the significant impact that the VST schools have made. In 18 months, the schools have produced 2,602 graduates from Gitega and Ruyigi Provinces. Minister Kibeya was also thankful for the contribution of start-up kits that help recent graduates in their entrepreneurial endeavors post-graduation.

Independent evaluation team visits Burundi - Two independent evaluators sent by OTI Washington visited Gitega and Ruyigi Provinces. Their mission was to evaluate the results achieved by the Community-Based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative program in Burundi. The team visited Bugendana, Gitega, Giheta, Gishubi, Itaba, and Ndava communes in Gitega Province and Butaganzwa, Butezi, Nyabitsinda, and Kinyinya communes in Ruyigi.

New Community Initiatives for 2006 - During the second week of December, the Community-Based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative team met with the Communal Councils in Ryansoro, Makebuko, Mutaho, Bugendana and Nyarusange communes in Gitega, and with those in Bweru, Butaganzwa, Butezi, Ruyigi and Kinyinya communes in Ruyigi. The objective was to discuss Community Initiatives ideas for 2006 that would bring the communities and new local administrations together. The administrations have agreed to be active in the new projects by mobilizing the population and by monitoring the budget and resources used in the projects. The Community Initiatives programs seek to build confidence among the newly elected officials and their constituents via transparent and collaborative project management.

B. Grant Activity Summary

C. Indicators of Success

403 VST graduates in Ruyigi celebrate the end of Session III - On Dec. 5, 6, 7 and 12, four Vocational Skills Training certificate ceremonies were held in Bwagiriza, Kinyinya, Muriza and Gisuru, respectively, to celebrate the graduation of students from the third cycle of the VST program. At the ceremonies, graduates were congratulated for their persistence and patience through the end of the accelerated five-month training (reduced from six months). Graduates will receive start-up kits to assist them in beginning their own income-generation activities.

Following are the numbers, to date, of VST graduates by session and province:

More than 1,800 VST graduates continue successfully - During the 18-month Vocational Skills Training program, 206 graduate associations (averaging nine members each) have been created. VST graduates are oriented into associations of their choice based upon job categories and geographical location. About 45 percent of the associations are functional on a full-time basis; many are just getting started. In 2006, there will be greater emphasis on consolidating associations (through confederations) and restructuring them for increased economic viability.

First meeting of the radio clubs in Buhevyi - OTI-funded Burundian National Television and Radio (RTNB) journalists visited Buhevyi, a Community-Based Peace and Reconciliation Initiative-supported community, to tape the immensely popular question-and-answer radio show "Entertain Us." About 600 people participated, and several local groups performed. The community was then asked to listen with their newly distributed OTI radios. Approximately 1,175 women, men and youths participated in the radio clubs in their hillsides by listening to the broadcast program taped in Buhevyi. The reaction was positive. Most asked that the media return again; others stated that it was the first time in over a decade that the media had visited their area. This visit to Buhevyi was important because the community members felt that they were able to express their views to other Burundians.

NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

In January, OTI and implementing partner PADCO will focus on three main components:

- A team of evaluators from the Community Initiatives (CI) program will be sent to the field to finalize the writing of the grants for most CI projects. These grants will be reviewed in January.

- The media team will finalize the 2006 OTI media campaign after meeting with local partners on various strategies. The campaign will promote good governance and the fight against corruption.

- In January, the Vocational Skills Training start-up kit grants will be approved, ensuring the self-dependence of the newly graduated VST pupils.

For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Donna Kerner, Operations Coordinator, 202-712-0716, dkerner@usaid.gov