Official launch of the evaluation of the ethnic quota system in accordance with article 289 of the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi

On Monday, July 31, 2023, the Senate officially launched the evaluation of the ethnic quota system in the executive, legislative and judicial branches in accordance with article 289 of the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi. The ceremonies took place in Gitega, the political capital of Burundi.

Right Honourable Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Speaker of the Senate, in his speech, recalled that article 289 of the Constitution adopted by Burundians in 2018, stipulates that “a period of five years is granted to the Senate to evaluate in order to end or extend the system of ethnic quotas in the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary after the establishment of the Institutions resulting from this Constitution”.

He reassured that this evaluation is not aimed at restoring ethnic divisions. The Speaker of the Senate recalled that ensuring the reconciliation and social cohesion of the Burundian people is one of the missions of the Senate.

Right Honourable Sinzohagera informed the participants that the Senate will soon carry out visits to all the provinces of the country, to collect the population’s proposals through meetings, in order to report to the Head of State. He called on leaders to transmit this message to the population whom they represent, so that they should be prepared accordingly to give their proposals. He asked them to check if all categories of the population are represented during these meetings.

The Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament appealed to journalists to publish reliable information that does neither scare Burundians, nor create ethnic divisions.

Some participants in this activity expressed their wishes, some supporting the abolition of this system of ethnic quotas, others proposing its extension.

The speaker of the day, Mr. Domitien Ndayizeye, former Head of State, presented the tragic facts which marked the past of Burundi, and which are at the origin of the establishment of the system of ethnic quotas in the Constitution, as one of the remedies. He explained that the notion of ethnic quotas was provided for in the Arusha peace and reconciliation agreements in 2000. For him, it was a transitional measure to calm the ethnic tensions which were observed in the country.

He advised Burundians to transcend their sectarian interests to build a united nation. He demonstrated that the sustainable solution for this problem is to seek to achieve sustainable development.