Political parties and citizen political involvement in post-conflict Burundi: between democratic claims and authoritarian tendencies

Abstract

The aim of this article is to understand the socio-political evolutions in post-war Burundi, through the analysis of the individuals’ political mobilisation (both civilian and former combatants) and the dynamics of three party politics (Frodebu, Cndd-Fdd and Palipehutu-Fnl) in the aftermath of war. My purpose is to capture the viewpoint of individuals as party members, questioning how they get involved in politics, as well as to analyse how their partisan membership affects the political culture, the internal structure and the organisation of political parties. The article argues that mass violence (in 1972 and 1993) has engendered a political mobilisation process by drawing people into political life, encouraging the emergence of bottom-up democratic claims. The three political parties involved in this research have a different history, nature, development and position in the political chessboard which influenced the relationship between the leadership and the base, as well as their political attitudes.

Notes

1. Interview with Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, a former president of the Burundian Republic and a member of Frodebu, Bujumbura, June 2010.

2. According to Anselm Strauss, this expression refers to crises, failures and loss. Anselm Strauss (1992), Miroirs et masques. Une introduction à l’interactionnisme, L’Harmattan, Paris.

3. Johanna Siméant gives the following definition : ‘deuils précoces et violents parmi les intimes, fait d’avoir risqué la mort, exclusion d’institutions (armées, partis…), actes de ‘trahison’ de certains groupes d’appartenance, exils ou départs forcés du pays d’origine… ’. Johanna Simeant (2001), ‘Entrer en humanitaire : des fondateurs de MSF aux membres actuels des ONG médicales françaises’, in Revue française de Science Politique.

4. Interview with Didace, former member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

5. Interview with Euphrasie, member of Frodebu, Bujumbura, Burundi, July 2012.

6. Interview with Jean-Petit, member of Frodebu, Bujumbura, Burundi, April 2008.

7. Interview with Sebastien, former combatant and member of Palipehutu-FNL, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

8. Interview with Leonce Ngendakumana, founding member and President of Frodebu, Bujumbura, Burundi, 2012.

9. Interview with Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, a former President of the Burundian Republic and a member of Frodebu, Bujumbura, April 2008.

10. Interview with Alexis, member of Frodebu, Bujumbura, Burundi, July 2010.

11. Interview with Wilson, former member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, July 2010.

12. Since the party boycotted the national election in 2010 after having denounced frauds during the communal election, the fate of Rwasa and his party is confused. Officially, Rwasa is not more the president of Fnl, and the party structure as it was put in place in 2009, doesn’t exist anymore. Actually, Rwasa has joined the CNDD-FDD government and most of his followers have shifted to another party or joined a military group, feeling betrayed. So the time to evaluate the internal party dynamics was very short.

13. Interview with a member of the executive committee in Kamenge, Bujumbura, Burundi November 2009.

14. Interview with a member of the executive committee in Kinama, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

15. Interview with Sebastien, former combatant and member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

16. Interview with Aladin, former combatant and member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

17. Interview with Arcade, former combatant and member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

18. Interview with Faustin, former combatant and member of Palipehutu-Fnl, Bujumbura, Burundi, November 2009.

19. Interview with Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, former combatant and former member of Cndd-Fdd, Bujumbura, Burundi, 2008.

20. Interview with Makurata, former member of Cndd-Fdd, Bujumbura, Burundi, April 2008.

21. Interview with D., former member of Cndd-Fdd, Bujumbura, Burundi, April 2008.

22. Interview with J.-M., former member of Cndd-Fdd, Bujumbura, March 2008.