The first legislature had a complicated history: the institutions suffered several breakdowns and the political climate tended to become more authoritarian. The political landscape was unstable owing to the internal tensions within most parties, which led to splits in some cases. .

As far as security was concerned, the first part of the legislature was dominated by the continuing war with the FNL/ Palipehutu. In socio-economic terms, in spite of the efforts to increase access to education and to primary health care and to improve salary levels for certain professions, the living conditions of the people remained precarious, and poor management continued to be a major obstacle to the fight against poverty.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, the country has achieved considerable progress since the ending of the war: the genuine progress in the negotiations between the government and the FNL during recent months is likely to result in the military and politico-administrative integration of the last rebel group in the near future. Political debate takes place in an effective multi-party context and, in spite of pressure from the authorities; the media and civil society manage to play their role. Hutu/Tutsi divisions are no longer blamed for all the country’s ills and the army is no longer an instrument used by one ethnic group to protect its privileges.

In order to consolidate the achievements of the first legislature, it is very important that it ends by respecting the constitution of the republic, and that the institutions of the second legislature are established through a new free and transparent electoral cycle. The reorganizing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in early February following dialogue between the government and the political parties represented in parliament sets a positive example that compromise is possible. This progress provides a positive basis for the electoral process and a view to creating a climate of confidence between political actors and competitors.

In order to support this important and sensitive process EurAc makes the following recommendations to the European Union (and its member states):

 1. To commit itself to supporting and monitoring the electoral process. This must include the provision of expertise and funding and, in particular, giving support to the CENI so that it can work with complete independence. EurAc believes that the EU should offer European experts to be deployed within the electoral commission as a significant means of supporting the process.

 2. To raise again in its political dialogue with the Burundian government the concern that elections must be free and transparent, organised in complete security by a truly independent electoral commission and with a well prepared electorate. As part of this dialogue, we ask the European Union to call upon and help the Burundian government to ensure that the decision-making process is inclusive and participatory, giving all the parties the opportunity to show their willingness to take part in the elections correctly, respecting the rights and liberties both of the candidates and of the voters. It is also important to call on the Burundian government to immediately initiate a public debate on the revision of the electoral law. Such a debate must be inclusive and engage civil society actors, who have many ideas to bring to the subject, so as to guarantee consensus between all political actors.

 3. If necessary, be willing to use all levers of influence at its disposal to encourage the different actors on the political stage to respect their own commitments and stay within the constitutional framework.

 4. To provide expertise and financial support to the process of demobilization and reintegrating demobilized fighters. In the absence of an effective demobilization and reintegration process there is a risk that these fighters could be used during the election campaign to create a climate of violence and intimidation. It is also crucial to support the adoption of a national policy for complete disarmament of the population.

 5. To protect the freedom of expression so that the media and civil society can continue to play their democratic role. The EU should also provide support to civil society to carry out its civic education activities to create a well trained and well-informed electorate.