Burundi
Security Sector Development Programme for Burundi (SSDP)
The Security Sector Development Prgramme is a three-year engagement for the Dutch in Burundi. Its objective is to deepen Netherlands-Burundian cooperation on the development of the Burundian security sector.
Support OECD DAC in-country Consultation on the OECD DAC Handbook on SSR
The international community active on SSR issues in Burundi initiated this consultation process. Their objective was to increase their capacity and knowledge on how to support SSR processes.
The DAC requested ISSAT assistance on this matter. As this was ISSAT's first mission, it was funded by DCAF, in the spirit of needing to build legitimacy and experience. Further consultations will be held in other countries in Africa (CAR in January and Guinea Bissau in March 2008) which will be led by the ISSAT.
Support to DPKO Field Research in Burundi and DRC as Part of UN project to Operationalise Linkages between DDR and SSR
DPKO requested that ISSAT contribute to a UN project to explore the linkages between DDR and SSR and draw relevant lessons learned and guidance for future DDR and SSR activities. 2 ISSAT Associate SSR advisors are requested to conduct field missions in Burundi and DRC.
Provision of Advisory Support/Mentoring to the Netherlands Strategic Advisors in Burundi
In 2009, the Dutch government concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burundian authorities to support security sector development (SSD) activities over the next 8 years.
As part of the activity portfolio under this MoU, two Dutch strategic advisors have been seconded to the Burundian ministries for Defence (MDNAC) and Public Security (MSP) – which is in charge of the police. The two strategic advisors provide support to the senior leadership of both ministries on matters pertaining to defence and police strategy, and security sector development processes.
The Netherlands has requested ISSAT to provide ongoing support to and mentoring for both of the Dutch strategic advisors in Burundi to facilitate learning from comparative experience in similar SSD processes elsewhere in Africa. Mentoring includes periodic missions to Burundi to provide face to face support. In addition, continuous assistance is provided through virtual means.
ISSAT will provide two mentors (one to be drawn from the ASSN expert roster) to assist the Dutch strategic advisors until September. These coaches will be backed-up by other members of the ISSAT team.
Baseline Study for the Netherlands-Burundian SSD Programme
The Government of the Netherlands requested the assistance of ISSAT to support their Baseline Study of the Security Sector in Burundi as part of the Netherlands-Burundian Security Sector Development (SSD) Programme. ISSAT was requested to provide a military specialist with knowledge of the security/SSR context in Burundi.
Burundi and the Netherlands have cooperated on security sector development issues since 2004, which was formalised through the signing of a long term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). As part of the MoU, the Netherlands and Burundi agreed to execute a baseline study of the security sector, to be undertaken by independent experts in the field of SSD, in close cooperation with Burundian and Dutch representatives.
The baseline assessment served two purposes:
- To improve the understanding of the real and perceived of security needs, from an individual, institutional and political perspective. The study should also at the implications this will have for security provision, potential risks and challenges.
- To provide a basis against which the results of the Dutch-BurundianSSDprogramme can be evaluated on an annual basis as well as at the end of the programme, and against which future activities can take shape.
Scoping Mission for NL-Burundian SSD Programme
The Government of the Netherlands requested the assistance of ISSAT to support their Scoping Mission for the Netherlands-Burundian support to Burundian Parliamentary Oversight over Security and Defence. This was a follow-on to the previous request for assistance for the baseline study. ISSAT was requested to provide an expert with knowledge of ethnicity and the security/SSR context in Burundi.
In addition to the ongoing baseline study, the Netherlands came up with a number of quick win/confidence building projects for implementation between 2009 and 2010. The proposals included responding to the request to provide technical assistance from the Parliament, the Civil Society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by:
- Supporting the Parliament in holding a hearing on the issues of ethnic balance within with security services;
- Organising a seminar for civil society on civil involvement in/oversight of the security forces;
- Organising a seminar on SSR for the Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to assist their role as coordinators of the national SSR process.
Scoping Mission for the Netherlands-Burundian SSD Programme
The Government of the Netherlands requested ISSAT assistance to support their Scoping Mission for the Netherlands-Burundian support to Burundian Parliamentary Oversight over Security and Defence. This is a follow-on to the previous request for assistance for the baseline study. ISSAT was requested to provide an expert with knowledge of ethnicity and the security/SSR context in Burundi.
In addition to the ongoing baseline study, the Netherlands came up with a number of quick win/confidence building projects to be implemented between 2009 and 2010. The proposals included responding to the request to provide technical assistance from the Parliament, the Civil Society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by:
- Supporting the Parliament in holding a hearing on the issues of ethnic balance within with security services;
- Organising a seminar for civil society on civil involvement in/oversight of the security forces;
- Organising a seminar on SSR for the Burundian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to assist their role as coordinators of the national SSR process.
Security Sector Development Programme in Burundi - Phase I Evaluation
The Netherlands-Burundi cooperation was captured in a Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in 2009. This MoU served as an umbrella for Netherlands-Burundi Security Sector Development Programme (SSDP) - which included 3 pillars: Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Defence and Security Sector Governance, for a period of eight years (2009-2017). This period was divided into four phases, each lasting two years. A strategic plan was developed for each phase. The programme was currently concluding phase I, with phase II officially commencing on I January 2012.
The overall objective of the mission was to assist the Netherlands Embassy in Burundi to evaluate the impact and results of Phase I of the Security Sector Development Programme. This included an analysis of the efficiency of the project implementation structures. The secondary objective of the mission was to assess the project design and relevance of Phase I of the SSDP. This assessment will be done to provide recommendations on any necessary amendments or alterations to the project. Such recommendations would reflect contemporary field conditions and lessons learned from Phase I.
The mission was divided into three parts – which would reflect the original SSD design: support to police reform, support to the reform of the army reform, an evaluation of the programme structure and coherence with SSR processes.
Support to Dutch SSD Programme Burundi – Support to joint Burundi-Dutch Workshop to define Implementation Strategy for SSD Programme
The Netherlands and the Burundian government are developing a joint 8 year SSD programme, structured in four phases of 2 years each. The ongoing work deals with 3 different fields: defence, police, and governance. Both parties are currently working on the second phase of the project. They have requested ISSAT advisory field support to help integrate SSD good practise into present discussion.
Support to Dutch SSD Programme Burundi – Support to SSD Training of Military and Police Officers in Charge of Drafting the Strategic Plans of the...
The Netherlands-Burundian cooperation was captured in a Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2009. This MoU serves as an umbrella for the Netherlands-Burundian Security Sector Development programme that has 3 pillars: Ministry of Public Security (incl. the Burundi National Police), Ministry of Defence (incl. the Burundi Defence Forces) and Security Sector Governance and that covers a period of eight years (2009-2017). The programme was currently entering it phase II, for which strategic action plans are being developed.
The Dutch Embassy Office in Burundi sought advisory field and training support from ISSAT to run two trainings for military and police officers who were responsible to draft the strategic plans of the military and the police. The objective of the two trainings was to ensure that the participants understood the concept of SSD and its main principles, and that they would be able to apply the SSD principles in their daily activities, particularly when drafting the strategic plans.
ISSAT supported the Dutch SSD Programme in Burundi to design and implement two 2-day training workshops for the military and the police to achieve these objectives. The two workshop was structured as follows:
D1-1: SSD concept and principles (2 sessions)
D1-2: SSD programming in post-conflict contexts, SSD and gender (2 sessions)
D2-1: Case study (Guinea-Bissau for the military, Kosovo for the police) (2 sessions)
D2-2: SSD-approach to defence/police development, brainstorming on SSD in Burundi (2 sessions)
The participants included 20-25 military officers and around 30 police officers. The military participants included officers in charge to draft the strategic plans on the basis of the National Defence Review; some members of the MoD executive secretariat in charge of drafting the National Defence Review, and some national members of the management unit of the Dutch SSR programme. The police participants included officers in charge of implementing training projects and general staff officers in charge of planning.
The mandate was part of the on-going mentoring support that ISSAT is providing to the Burundi SSD Programme.
Support to Evaluation of Security Sector Development Programme in Burundi
The overall objective of the mission was to assist the Netherlands Embassy in Burundi to evaluate the results and impact of Phase I of their Security Sector Development Programme (SSDP). This will include an analysis of the efficiency of the project implementation structures, its design and relevance to its designated beneficiaries.
SSD Program Burundi
- Burundi is currently preparing a national security strategy. This strategy and its related national policies and plans will need to be implemented through involvement of, and investments by, the Government of Burundi in collaboration with its development partners. It is therefore essential that all parties involved in the SSR process are brought together in order to develop a coordinated vision and approach to the support of the SSR process.
- Now is therefore a good time to perform an analysis of the security sector including the state of affairs of ongoing reforms; mapping of past, current and future involvement of donors; and formulate priority actions for the immediate and medium-term future.
- The analysis should bring together, under the central guidance of the Govt. of Burundi, all parties involved or interested in the SSR process in Burundi.
- Capacity to assist in this security sector analysis is available from the International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT) located in Geneva.
- While carrying out the analysis and study of the SSR process in Burundi, important benefits can be had through capacity building of Burundian government officials involved in security sector development planning.
SSD Program Burundi 2
Train the train course for Army officers who succeeded in completing the UNITAR on line SSR course and who will deliver SSR training to Army officers and civil officials living in the neighbourhood of the Army barracks.
Tools
Notions Fondamentales de Droit – Manuel du Formateur
Le présent module de ‘’Notions fondamentales’’ de droit répond au besoin des agents de l’ordre judiciaire de mieux connaître les notions juridiques de base qui leur permettront de communiquer aisément avec les usagers des services de la justice. Ainsi, les AOJ devraient avoir une formation de base sur les notions fondamentales de droit et de la procédure pour accomplir valablement leur rôle.
Fonctions de l'Agent de l'Ordre Judiciaire – Cahier de l’Apprenant
Produit avec l’appui technique et financier du Programme d’appui à la bonne gouvernance « Gutwara Neza » de l’Union Européenne et la Coopération technique Belge, le module traite des principales fonctions d’un agent de l’ordre judiciaire, de son rôle dans les phases pré juridictionnelle et juridictionnelle, et de ses fonctions en matière d’exécution de jugements.
Fonctions de l'Agent de l'Ordre Judiciaire – Manuel du Formateur
Produit avec l’appui technique et financier du Programme d’appui à la bonne gouvernance « Gutwara Neza » de l’Union Européenne et la Coopération technique Belge, le présent module rappelle les tâches confiées aux agents de l’ordre judiciaire. Il reprend les généralités, les fonctions d’un agent de l’ordre judiciaire en matière civile et pénale ainsi qu’en matière d’exécution des jugements. En outre, ledit module constitue un point d’introduction à la formation des agents de l’ordre judiciaire sur plusieurs autres modules relatifs à la Gestion administrative et judiciaire, à la déontologie et les relations publiques.
Videos
Buying Time For Peace
Buying Time for Peace" is a documentary that will take you on a journey into the heart of the Great Lakes region to show you the unique role of an international partnership that is trying to break the conflict cycle and create the conditions for peace in central Africa. You will meet and hear from adult ex-combatants and children formerly associated with armed forces as they try to reclaim their lives after conflict. They are participating in the largest program of its kind in the world: the Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Program (MDRP), a multi-agency effort funded by the World Bank and 13 donor governments, that supports the demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants in Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. You will also meet MDRP specialists living and working in the region, such as Dinga, a former Colonel from Chad now in Burundi, Gromo in Rwanda, who has spent most of his life working on humanitarian issues in Africa and who witnessed the Rwandan genocide in 1994 first hand, and Harald, who spends much of his time in the more unstable parts of eastern Congo.
This film was directed by Philip Carr and produced by Bruno Donat.
The film is not available for embedding on our site but you can watch it on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/fsJMHBo9EPQ.
Podcasts
Rencontres et Profils - La coopération militaire Pays-Bas-Afrique
De la Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, Afrique, un entretien avec LTC Alwin van den Boogaard, 12 janvier 2012.
Lutter contre la pauvreté et contribuer à la pacification du pays, telles sont les idées force de la coopération militaire entre les Pays-Bas et le Burundi. Une mission noble qu’accomplit le lieutenant-colonel Alwin van den Boogaard avec engagement et philosophie. Dans cet entretien, l’officier néerlandais nous parle des actions menées pour renforcer le processus de consolidation de la paix au Burundi.
Photo: Hélène Michaud.
Session du Groupe de haut niveau sur la SSR (Afrique de l'Est): La RSS au Burundi: Leçons, défis et perspectives (Atelier 3: 02-10-12)
Modérateur: M. Stephen Jackson, Chef de Cabinet du Bureau des Nations Unies au Burundi (BNUB
Intervenants:
Général Major Silas Ntigurirwa, Secrétaire Permanent, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants
M. Maurice Mbonimpa, Secrétaire Permanent, Ministère de la Sécurité Publique
M. Charles Ndayiziga, Directeur, Centre d’Alerte de Prévention des Conflits (CENAP)
Session du Groupe de haut niveau sur la SSR (Afrique de l'Est): Le rôle du soutien régional et international aux processus nationaux de RSS (Ateli...
Modérateur: Dr. Mark Downes, Directeur de l’Equipe internationale de conseil au secteur de la sécurité (ISSAT) au Centre pour le contrôle démocratique des forces armées – Genève (DCAF)
Intervenants:
M. Joel Hellman, Directeur du Centre mondial sur les conflits, la sécurité et le développement de la Banque mondiale
M. Aeneas Chuma,Coordonnateur résident des Nations Unies et Représentant résident du PNUD au Kenya
Professeur Eboe Hutchful, Président du Réseau Africain du Secteur de la Sécurité (ASSN)
Dr. Serge Rumin, Directeur du Programme de Développement du Secteur de la Sécurité, Protocole d’entente entre le Burundi et les Pays-Bas
Session du Groupe de haut niveau sur la SSR (Afrique de l'Est): Les enseignements tirés du processus et des programmes de RSS à partir des études...
Modérateur: Professeur Eboe Hutchful, Président du Réseau Africain du Secteur de la Sécurité (ASSN)
Intervenants:
Monsieur l’Ambassadeur Antoine Ntamobwa, Directeur général des affaires nord-américaines du Ministère des Relations extérieures et de la coopération internationale, Burundi
Dr. Norman Mlambo, point focal pour la RSS, Union africaine
Brigadier Général Kellie Conteh, Conseiller de la MINUSS auprès du Ministère de la Sécurité nationale, Soudan du Sud
Policy and Research Papers
Etude de Base sur l'Aide Legale au Burundi
L’étude a pour objectif de faire avancer la réflexion sur le développement du secteur de l’aide légale, qui regroupe les activités d’aide juridique et d’assistance judiciaire et sur l’instauration d’un cadre légal et judiciaire de l’aide légale pour les personnes vulnérables au Burundi.
Afin de lire cette publication, veuillez suivre ce lien.
Informal Conclusions of the Chair: High Level Panel on the Challenges and Opportunities for Security Sector Reform (SSR) in East Africa
The overall purpose of the High Level Panel (October 2nd-3rd 2012) was to take stock of the challenges when implementing security and justice reforms at a national level; to identify lessons that could be applied to other SSR processes in the Eastern African region; and to look at what role regional and international actors could optimally have in SSR initiatives. The High Level Panel brought together over 200 SSR policy makers and practitioners to unpack the key issues faced by both those implementing and leading SSR. Those attending the event were experts responsible for leading and implementing processes in Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan, as well as key donors, regional and multilateral organisations and representatives from the African Security Sector Network and other civil society organisations.
This report reflects the informal conclusions drawn from the selected country-case studies as well as thematic debates at the High-Level Panel.
Les Bailleurs Européens et l'Approche Participative dans le Secteur de la Sécurité et la Justice au Burundi
Cette étude de case fait partie d'un programme de recherche entrepris par le Groupe Sectoriel sur la Sécurité du consortium Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP). L'étude de cas sur la Réforme de Secteur de Sécurité (RSS) au Burundi et la pratique des bailleurs publié lors de la première phase de ce programme de recherche a relevé que "dans la grande majorité des cas, il n'existe pas de recours automatiques à des mécanismes de pris de prise en compte des besoins et des préoccupations des communautés au sein des programmes RSS des acteurs internationaux." La présente étude de cas vise donc à creuses davantage ce constat, à étudier le contexte particulier du Burundi et à éclairer les opportunités, défis et obstacles auxquels l'UE et ses états membres actifs dans le renforcement du secteur de sécurité et la justice font face par rapport à l'implication des communautés à la base et de la société civile dans la programmation.
Afin de lire cette publication, veuillez suivre ce lien.
Les defis de la justice de proximité au Burundi
En juillet 2011, le programme de bonne gouvernance ‘Gutwara Neza’, sous le patronage du Ministère de la Justice, a réalisé une réflexion nationale sur la justice de proximité au Burundi. Consistant en une série de quatre ateliers de consultation régionaux suivis d’une journée de débat national, cette activité a permis de dégager des pistes de réforme prioritaires pour pérenniser le système de justice locale très riche dont dispose le pays.
A report commissioned by the EU on community justice in Burundi, including an analysis of traditional justice mechanisms.
Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces in Francophone Africa: Burkina Faso, Burundi and Senegal
Under the aegis of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) DCAF undertook three case studies in Burkina Faso, Burundi and Senegal each of which was prepared by country experts. Each study seeks to identify and facilitate the exchange of good practices and experiences between the states concerned, as well as among similar institutions around the world. Each study examines relevant national institutions, as well as their legal status, shedding light on their strengths and weaknesses and contributing to an evaluation of their capacity building needs. Each study also includes details of their complaints handling procedures and of standards that may be relevant to other similar institutions, contributing as a result to a deepened understanding of their mandates, remit, and functioning. Furthermore, these case studies provide a snapshot of the state of security sector governance in each of the three countries, as well as the progress of ongoing reforms.
Propositions pour une Stratégie Nationale d’Aide Legale au Burundi
Les propositions dans cet article en vue de l’élaboration d’une Stratégie Nationale d’aide légale ont pour vocation d’aider à traduire dans la réalité la volonté politique exprimée par le gouvernement burundais de renforcer les politiques publiques qui garantissent l’accès à la justice des personnes vulnérables.
Afin de lire cette publication, veuillez suivre ce lien.
Reintegration Assistance for Ex-Combatants: Good Practices and Lessons for the MDRP
This working paper suggests the best practices in reintegration program design include: planning of pilot activities for reintegration support at the start of the DDR process; investing in regular communication and outreach with ex-combatants, communities and other stakeholders; ensuring specialised services and program adaptations for vulnerable groups of ex-combatants including children, women and the disabled; and building broad-based partnerships that facilitate the evolution of reintegration activities into wider development programming.
As evidenced by the successes and challenges of reintegration programs around the world, the institutional structures and arrangements governing DDR and reintegration programs can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of these operations. Minimum institutional features of particular relevance include: strong national ownership; the separation of political oversight and technical implementation bodies; decentralized program structures; timely and regular monitoring and evaluation; rigorous financial systems and controls; and a clear exit strategy
To access the full paper, click here.
Statistiques Judiciaires burundaises Rendement, Délais et Typologie des Litiges dans les Tribunaux de Résidence
Cette compilation de statistiques constitue le volet quantitatif d’une recherche sur les problèmes de fonctionnement de la justice et d’exécution des jugements dans les régions rurales du Burundi. Elle complète deux études qualitatives publiées en 2008 et 2009. Etendue à quatre régions naturelles supplèmentaires, la poursuite du projet de recherche a abouti, en 2009, à un état des lieux concis et exhaustif de la justice en milieu rural. La publication intitulée « Burundi : La justice en milieu rural » dégage des pistes d’action et de réflexion concrètes pour l’amélioration de la situation actuelle.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities of SSR 2013
Between October 2nd and 3rd 2012, DCAF’s ISSAT organised a High Level Panel (HLP) on the Challenges and Opportunities for Security Sector Reform1 (SSR) in East Africa, in partnership with the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), the Governments of Burundi, Kenya, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Somalia and South Sudan, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Security Sector Network (ASSN). It was attended by over two hundred SSR policy makers and practitioners.
This report seeks to take those discussions further, including more of the points raised by participants during the HLP, and adding in lessons from experience gathered from individual missions and related trainings. Three case studies featured in the HLP (Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan) and as such provide many of the examples, although the report also draws from examples beyond East Africa. An introductory section on SSR in each of these countries is provided in section one and full case studies are included in the annex.
It is hoped that this report, which keeps to the same thematic areas as those covered in the HLP, will offer information on contemporary thinking in security and justice reform, as well as provide some recommendations and examples of good practice to those interested in or engaged in SSR.
The Security Sector and Poverty Reduction Strategies
Provision of security is both a core function of the state and a necessary condition for the delivery of other essential services and investments for poverty reduction. Improving the effectiveness and accountability of security provision is therefore becoming an increasingly important element of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) in countries emerging from conflict.
This note aims to clarify the challenges for integrating security sector priorities into PRSs by drawing on existing and emerging knowledge and practice in conflict-affected countries. Introduced in the late 1990s, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are standard tools for developing countries to articulate medium-term macroeconomic and social policies for growth and poverty reduction. Countries take the lead in setting a development plan, while the World Bank and other donors align their assistance programs with those national strategies.
This note focuses specifically on the World Bank’s role in supporting governments during the preparation of PRSs and discusses entry points for engagement in the security sector drawing from experience in a mix of conflictaffected countries. It is intended to serve as a resource for World Bank country teams and their national counterparts when designing PRS processes in countries where improved security has emerged as a national priority.
To view this publication, follow this link.
Traditional Justice and Reconciliation after Violent Conflict Learning from African Experiences
The report is intended to serve both as a general knowledge resource and as a practitioner’s guide for national bodies seeking to employ traditional justice mechanisms as well as external agencies aiming to support such processes. It suggests that in some circumstances traditional mechanisms can effectively complement conventional judicial systems and represent a real potential for promoting justice, reconciliation and a culture of democracy.
In addition, even in situations where communities are more inclined to demand straightforward retribution against the perpetrators, traditional justice mechanisms may
still offer a way both of restoring a sense of accountability and of linking justice to democratic development.
Books
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration and Security Sector Reform
DCAF was jointly mandated by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to analyse the policy and programming implications of the relationship between the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR). Based on lessons drawn from experiences in Afghanistan, Burundi, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, this publication is based on a combination of desk and field research focusing on UN engagement in DDR and SSR in both peacekeeping and non-peacekeeping contexts.
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Other Documents
UNDPKO SSR Newsletter No. 13, January-March 2012
The SSR Newsletter, published on a quarterly basis, is aimed at providing an update on recent activities of the SSR Unit and an overview of upcoming initiatives, in addition to sharing relevant information and announcements with the greater SSR community.