Reconciling Youth and Police in Bujumbura, Burundi

IPB November 2021 narrative Report

Introduction

This is IPB November 2021 narrative. It describes the Burundi sociopolitical improvement following the 2020 peaceful elections and a trauma healing follow up for a group of Batwa

1. Burundi’ sociopolitical improvement after the 2015 election crisis

On May 7, 2020, the 993^rd meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council recognized the Burundi’s sociopolitical improvement and removed it from its agenda. The Council called the international community to immediately lift all sanctions and other forms of punitive measures imposed against Burundi without further delay.

The council welcomes the improved relations between Burundi and its neighbors, as well as  with the European Union and other bilateral and multilateral partners and encourages the Burundian stakeholders to preserve the gains achieved since the peaceful transition, and calls on all parties to embrace the spirit of political tolerance to foster national cohesion and reconciliation.

A considerable number of politicians who fled the country came back. Burundians in diaspora are participating the community wellbeing and development. Those who fled the country are returning back massively.

 Joe Biden, President of America removed the sanctions imposed to Burundi on November 18, 2021 in what he called “the executive order on the termination of emergency with respect to the situation in Burundi “.

1. Trauma healing Follow up with Batwa Group of Muyaga Quarter

IPB conducted a one day trauma healing follow up on Friday, December 3, 2021 for fifteen (15) Batwa.

Following are key success stories

1. Many things are the basic of the trauma I’m holding. For instance in my childhood I was forbidden to play with other neighborhood children accusing me of smelling bad. At the primary school, the same attitude was expressed to me and all other Batwa. I finally dropped from school. I grew up under identity of contempt and marginalization. I was surprised to find the same situation in the refugee camp. Whenever we wanted to fix our shelter, other refugees left a distance between and us.  Today as returnees this identity distanciation remains a little bite.

 More thanks to IPB that reserved this kind of training dealing with trauma healing and effective reintegration of returnees from exile. I come to understand how traumatized I’m and the way of recovering from it. I committed to be part of those who advocate and sensitize peace and reconciliation between Burundians

Salvator. The injustice toward us was like our daily diet since my childhood till now. This injustice pushed me to drop from my secondary school. Today I regret to see that I became cowardly because those who resisted occupy good job in government and other institutions today. The life within the refugee’ camp was also discriminatory and wounded me too and I decided to return home. Since I attended in July the basic workshop, my trauma symptoms are going over day by day and, I’m glad to see that all people are taken care including all returnees without exclusion as before

Thank you for IPB its sponsors too.

In behalf of IPB

Elie Nahimana, Project leader

• Personal healing session. Photo by Elie N. (DOCX)