The Security and Political Crisis in Burundi

Burundi is in the midst of a political and security crisis, accompanied by increasing violence and instability. Mass arrests, high-profile assassinations, and the killing of more than 200 people have caused at least 220,000 Burundians to flee the country. President Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term in office is widely viewed as a catalyst for this crisis, which has splintered his own party and hardened the line between his supporters and those who oppose him. The roots of today's crisis precede the most recent elections in Burundi. This particular part of the world has borne witness to many mass atrocities. Burundi's 12-year civil war is among them. As we look to what has contributed to the breakdown of governance in Burundi, it is important to pay attention to the ethnic underpinnings of this and previous conflicts. Understanding the role that other actors in the region are playing is critical to understanding how to stop the violence in Burundi.