ABSTRACT
Burundi's civil war ended with a negotiated settlement that introduced a number of power-sharing institutions, which, with the exception of devolution of powers, include all the elements investigated in this chapter. Burundi has provisions for inclusive representation of both groups in the legislature, a proportional electoral system, a provision for grand coalitions, two vice presidents from different ethnic groups, and decision-making rules, which give both groups the opportunity to block legislation. At the time of writing, Burundi is in deep political crisis, partly due to attempts at overturning some of the power-sharing arrangements. The chapter also discusses the ethnic aspects of the conflict may have been decreased as a result of the Peace Agreement, but elite attempts to monopolise control over the state remains an important problem and potential source of conflict. The military regime banned all political parties, with the exception of Uprona, and excluded Hutus from the army and political offices.
