Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2017
Abstract
This essay seeks to address the question regarding what conflict management techniques have been implemented in the Great Lakes region of Africa, specifically in connection to the Burundi political strife, and which technique is proven to be the most effective thus far. Since gaining its independence in 1962, Burundi has experienced at least two mass killings as a result of political and social contentions between civilian classes (Uvin 256). In hopes of preventing another genocide between the Hutu and the Tutsi ethnic groups in the Great Lakes region of Africa, national, regional, and international conflict management strategies have been implemented. In this paper, I will argue that the most effective strategy of conflict management implemented in Burundi is the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) because this African Union (AU) mandated peace operation strikes a balance between national and international involvement than the alternative techniques used such as United Nations (UN) facilitated dialogue and attempted mediation through a third-party state. First, I will outline the relevance of this topic, as it relates to conflict management techniques and genocide prevention. Next, I will provide a brief overview of the history of conflict in Burundi in order to create a context within which to continue the analysis of strategies implemented in this region. Third, I will provide a literature review of four important sources relating to conflict management techniques in Burundi, examining their interpretations of the situation. Finally, I will analyze the effectiveness of the initial UN investigations in Burundi, the negotiations of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, and AMIB. Having proved why the regional, militaristic approach is most effective in Burundi, I will end this paper with suggestions for further research regarding how to better combat the problems in the region through conflict management mechanisms.