Publication
Title
Political representation of minorities as collateral damage or gain : the Batwa in Burundi and Rwanda
Author
Abstract
There is a remarkable discrepancy between the political representation of the Batwa ethnic minority group in Burundi compared to in Rwanda. Whereas Rwandas focus on citizenship prevents the Batwa from claiming recognition as a politically salient societal segment, Burundis governance model, characterized by ethnic, consociational power-sharing, guarantees the political representation of the Batwa in the legislative assemblies. The difference is mainly due to the various modalities of political transition that both countries have experienced. While in Rwanda, regime change came about through a military victory, Burundis transition from conflict to peace involved a long and complex peace-negotiations process, with international mediators viewing the armed conflict and its resolution in explicitly ethnic terms. The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement was a foundational moment for the recognition of the political participation rights of the Batwa in Burundi, despite the fact that they were not actively involved in Burundis armed conflict, or in the peace negotiations. The comparative analysis in this paper offers insights into the potential of peace processes with respect to improved minority-rights protection following violent conflict.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Africa spectrum / Institut für Afrikakunde [Hamburg]; Institute of African Studies [Hamburg] - Hamburg, 1966, currens
Publication
Hamburg : 2014
ISSN
0002-0397 [print]
1868-6869 [online]
DOI
10.1177/000203971404900101
Volume/pages
49 :1 (2014) , p. 3-25
ISI
000335933700001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.04.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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