OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
27 October - 02 November 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Humanitarian Activities

1. Sixteen days of activism for the fight against violence to women

On 30 October, UNIFEM and OCHA organised a meeting for the preparation of
activities related to the awareness campaign against rape and the
protection of victims for 16 days starting 25 November to 10 December
2003. A committee made up of Representatives of involved ministries, UN
agencies, NGOs was implemented to organise these activities.  Today, the
rape phenomenon which is one of the worst forms of violence against women
generalizes, and unfortunately seems to become an everyday fact by the
Burundian society.  Cases of rape of girls, women and old women are
reported everyday and in every part of the country, but few actions are
taken to relieve the suffering of victims or to discourage the authors of
this odious crime.

2. Distribution of school material within the African Girl Education
Initiative

Over this week, UNICEF especially targeted 10,297 children with
distribution of school material in order to increase girls' school
enrolment.  The distributions were conducted in the provinces of Muyinga
and Kirundo, part of Burundi's four African Girl Education Initiative
(AGEI) provinces. Four provinces were chosen in 2001 to be part of this
initiative (Karusi, Kirundo, Muyinga and Ngozi) because of their relative
security and because school enrolment rates are especially low.  
Activities are not only aiming at increased number of girls that have the
possibility to study but also to allow for these girls to stay in school
and finish their studies with a good result.  Sensitization of parents and
teachers, school material distribution and improvement/rehabilitation of
the school environment are parts of the UNICEF supported activities in
these provinces.

UNICEF launched this year another project aiming at putting into schools
12,000 children aged 8-12 years, among them 6,000 girls from war-affected
provinces around the country (Bujumbura Rural, Cankuzo, Makamba and
Ruyigi.

3. Returnees as at 31 October 2003

UNHCR: Report 26,690 facilitated, 42, 103 spontaneous returnees.  Total:
68,793 Y.T.D.

Security

4. Burundi government, rebels say security situation is improving

Despite the death of 20 people in different incidents in suburbs of the
Burundian capital, Bujumbura, government and rebel officials have reported
a marked improvement in the country's security situation since the signing
of a power sharing agreement between the government and the main rebel
group on 8 October in Pretoria (South Africa).

"Military actions have reduced on the ground, and the CNDD-FDD rebels have
ceased attacks against the civilian population", Colonel Augustin
Nzabampema, the army spokesman, told IRIN.

Both governments and rebel officials said that renewed food supplies to
CNDD-FDD combatants had contributed to the reduction in attacks against
civilians.  Despite the halt in fighting between the CNDD-FDD and the
army, there have been incidents of violence between the CNDD-FDD and the
only rebel group that has refused to enter into negotiations with the
government, the National Liberation Forces (FNL) faction led by Agathon
Rwasa.

At least 20 people were reportedly killed in one week in different attacks
in east and northern suburbs of Bujumbura Town, local officials said.
Those targeted were accused of supporting one rebel group or the other.

5. General

The joint appeal launched by President Ndayizeye and Pierre Nkurunziza
(CNDD-FDD) less and less observed.  Hussein Radjabu, CNDD-FDD Secretary
General for ceasefire accuses the army.

The Head of zone Kanyosha, Mr Jacques Bigirimana, launches an appeal to
the heads of CNDD (Pierre Nkurunziza) and the FNL (Agathon Rwasa) to stop
hostilities and the manhunt and, to the government, to take protection
measures for the population.

Security continues to be disturbed in Bujumbura Rural Province.  Clashes
between the Army and the FNL since Monday [27 October] caused temporary
displacement of several households to Rushubi, Isale Commune - Interview
with the Provincial Governor, Mr Ignace Ntawembarira.  Monday morning [27
October], Mr Claver Nankwa, Communal Administrator of Mutambu, and Mr
Nestor Ntunzwenimana, Head of Mutambu secondary school, were killed in an
ambush laid by a group of unidentified armed men].

Political

6. Burundi president speaks on deal reached with rebel group in Pretoria

Technical talks designed to wrap up a Burundi peace agreement between the
government and the CNDD-FDD (Pierre Nkurunziza) resumed Wednesday [29
October] in Pretoria, South Africa.  Burundi president Domitien Ndayizeye
has said the CNDD-FDD would join the government within the next three
weeks and the post of Deputy Army Chief of Staff will be created.

The National Liberation Front (FNL) of Agathon Rwasa remains outside the
peace process and continues military action against government forces
around the capital, Bujumbura.

7. Cantonment of combatants

The demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) programme has not
progressed much due to a delay in the implementation of ceasefire
agreements signed by the government and three rebel groups, CNDD-FDD
(Pierre Nkurunziza) included.

Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa, the countries which had pledged to
supply peacekeepers to Burundi under the aegis of the African Union (AU)
have completed the deployment of their troops.

Already, a cantonment site at Muyange in the northwestern Province of
Bubanza is operational.  It has 191 former combatants from the CNDD-FDD
(Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye) and FNL (Alain Mugabarabona).

Regarding the financing of the demobilization process, the European Union
special envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Aldo Ajelo, said, after a meeting
with South African mediators, that funds allocated to the demobilization
process were ready.

8. Latest events

High ranked police arrested as they are suspected to have participated in
the assassination (20 November 2001) of Dr Kassi Manlan, WHO
Representative to Burundi.

Demonstration Sunday morning [26 October] by the PA Amasekanya movement in
front of the residences of the community international embassies.  This
movement contests the policy of the international community to support the
rebel movements.

Burundi, DRCongo, Rwanda and Uganda signed Monday [27 October] a good
neighbourhood agreement in New York.

Burundi Vice-President, Mr Alphonse Marie Kadege, left Thursday [28
October] for Nairobi to participate in a conference for East African
Region within the NEPAD.

After a suspension of almost 9 years, the cooperation between Burundi and
International Monetary Fund (IMF) seems to resume.  Since October 2002,
the IMF has already provided $US 26M for the post-conflict programme in
Burundi.

Coordination

9. Contact Group meeting

Mr Malick Sene, UNICEF Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i.,
chaired the meeting [29 October]. Participants: 41.

Mrs Marie-Goretti Nduwayo from UNIFEM made a presentation on Sixteen days
of activism for the violence against women.

Mr Franco Bosticco (GVC), Focal Point for Karuzi Province, presented the
minutes of their meeting [held 2 October].

10. GTS meeting

Held on Monday [27 October].  Participants discussed on the preparation of
training sessions to the grassroots on IDPs in Bubanza, Muramvya and
Kayaza provinces by local associations who followed a three-day training
(TOT).

For Information

Nicholas McGowan
Head of Information
PH: (257) 951 681
Email: mcgowann@un.org


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