ABSTRACT
The minority Tutsi had dominated Burundi since the days it was a Belgian colony. According to Congera, the Tutsi made up more than 90 percent of those in government and more than 95 percent of those in the army. In a desperately poor country, those percentages mean stable employment, good money and power. The majority Hutu seethed with anger and frustration. Despite the history of ethnic bias in the government, Congera is encouraged that the government where to this day many Tutsi's still hold officeis making some positive steps. As one of the poorest nations on earth, Burundi scores poorly on every factor of economic and societal well-being. Many in Burundi see past the simple explanation of ethnic conflict as the reason for the genocide and civil war. Burundi's government is looked to as an agent of much needed positive social change, the caretaker of the public good, and the kind of democracy for the people that many want.
