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IFES - Burundi Project

Burundi

Following successful transition elections in 2005, Burundi’s political situation remains volatile, occasionally descending into violence and political stalemate over the past few years. Tensions remain high within and among political parties, in spite of a power-sharing agreement that established a consensus government in November 2007. A cautious optimism has arisen over the past months following a number of positive developments and renewed confidence in the ability of public diplomacy and parliamentary politics to achieve consensus-based political outcomes.

The 2010 elections will be a decisive moment in the path to peace for Burundi and their organization will be a complex undertaking for the Burundian electoral commission, the local media and Burundian civil society.

Current Projects

Promoting Peaceful and Transparent 2010 Elections in Burundi

The "Promoting Peaceful and Transparent 2010 Elections in Burundi" project seeks to promote peaceful and transparent presidential, legislative and communal elections in Burundi in 2010. The program has three primary objectives

1. Strengthen the Burundian electoral legal framework to ensure free and fair elections
2. Build professional capacity of electoral administrators of the Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) and its staff to lead and manage the electoral process professionally and transparently
3. Promote access to unbiased media coverage, public awareness and active civic engagement in support of transparent and peaceful elections

IFES' approach to promoting peaceful and transparent elections is twofold. The program seeks to increase transparency in the electoral process and avoid electoral disputes through a solid electoral legal framework, widespread public information on the electoral process and accurate electoral coverage in the media. Simultaneously, the project prevents and mitigates potential electoral violence by supporting effective legal dispute mechanisms and strengthening local civic and media watchdogs.

The program will be implemented over the course of 19 months (June 2009-January 2011) and will be implemented in three phases: Phase I: Legal Framework Analysis and Advising; Phase II: Technical Assistance to Electoral Administrators and Civic Stakeholders and Phase III: Post-Electoral Assessment and Strengthening Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) Systems.

Past Projects in Burundi »