The current government, put in place in June 1998 in the context of the [translation] "partnership for peace" (PANA 12 June 1998), includes 10 members of the Front for Democracy in Burundi (Front pour la démocratie au Burundi, FRODEBU) among its 22 ministers (Country Reports 1998 1999, 32; The Guardian Web Site 21 June 1999). Frédéric Bavugiyumvira, one of two vice-presidents appointed in this government, is also a member of the FRODEBU (PANA 12 June 1998; Europa 1999 1999, 785; Africa Research Bulletin 20 July 1998, 13138). In the Burundian National Assembly, which was expanded to 121 members on 18 June 1998, the FRODEBU holds a total of 65 seats (ibid. 24 Aug. 1998, 13176; Europa 1999 1999, 793; Derksen 28 June 1999).

According to the International Crisis Group (ICG), internal tensions among FRODEBU members, latent since the signing of the partnership and the start of the Arusha negotiating process in June 1998, became evident in March 1999 (ICG 27 Apr. 1999, section "Le FRODEBU menacé d'éclatement"). According to the same source, these tensions within the party pitted the [translation] "external FRODEBU" led by party president Jean Minani, who is currently in exile in Tanzania (ibid.; The Guardian Web Site 21 June 1999; Political Handbook of the World 1998 1998, 139), against the [translation] "internal FRODEBU" led by six influential party members, including Léonce Ngendakuman, speaker of the National Assembly, and Augustin Nzojibwami, secretary-general of the FRODEBU (ICG 27 Apr. 1999, 29; The Guardian Web Site 21 June 1999). According to information published on 21 June 1999 on the Guardian Web Site, the group that has formed around Augustin Nzojibwami includes nine of the ten party members who are a part of the current government, while a number of other important party members, including the country's former president Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, have recognized the authority of President Jean Minani (ibid.).

Excerpts from the report Le Burundi après la suspension de l'embargo: aspects internes et régionaux published on 27 April 1999 by the International Crisis Group (ICG) are attached to this Response; they explain the circumstances of and reasons for these divisions within the FRODEBU and assess the partnership government put in place in June 1998.

For some brief background information on the FRODEBU, see also the Political Handbook of the World 1998 (1998, 139).

Reached by telephone on 15 July 1999 in Bujumbura, a member of the executive council of the Burundian Human Rights League (Ligue burundaise des droits de l'homme, ITEKA), affiliated with the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), stated that his organization is not aware of the current government having recently reserved any special treatment to members of the FRODEBU. According to the ITEKA representative, the current problem in Burundi is widespread insecurity due to the conflicts between government forces and the various armed groups which are conducting attacks from neighbouring countries (ibid.).

Some sources report, however, that in March 1998, the authorities seized copies of an edition of the newspaper L'Aube de la démocratie, published in Bujumbura and affiliated with the FRODEBU (IFEX 1 Apr. 1998; Index on Censorship 6 July 1998; HRW 1999, 4).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. 24 August 1998. Vol. 35, No. 7. "Burundi: Institutions Put in Place."

_____. 20 July 1998. Vol. 35, No. 6. "Burundi: New Cabinet Appointed."

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Derksen, Wilfried. 28 June 1999. "Elections in Burundi." http://www.agora.stm.it/elections/election/burundi.htm [Accessed 17 July 1999]

The Europa World Year Book 1999. 1999. Vol. 40. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

The Guardian Web Site [Dar es Salaam, in English]. 21 June 1999. "Split in FRODEBU Party Seen As Threat to Peace Process." (BBC Summary 23 June 1999/NEXIS)

Human Rights Watch (HRW). 1999. "Burundi: Human Rights Developments." http://www.hrw.org/hrw/worldreport99/africa/burundi.htm [Accessed 17 July 1999]

IFEX Action Alert Service. 1 April 1998. "Burundi Clamps Down on Two Publications." http://www.ifex.org/alert/00002937html [Accessed 9 Dec. 1998]

Index on Censorship [London]. July 1998. Misser F. "Burundi: Muzzling the Press." http://www.indexoncensorship.org/news/burundi06798.html [Accessed 17 July 1999]

International Crisis Group (ICR). 27 April 1999. Le Burundi après la suspension de l'embargo : aspects internes et régionaux. http://www.crisisweb.org/ [Accessed 15 July 1999]

Ligue burundaise des droits de l'homme (ITEKA) [Bujumbura]. 15 June 1999. Telephone interview with member of the executive council in charge of communications.

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 12 June 1998. "Nomination de deux vice-présidents." htttp://www.woya.com/news/french/pana/articles/1998/06/12/FRE006.shtm [Accessed 15 July 1999]

Political Handbook of the World 1998. 1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

International Crisis Group (ICR). 27 April 1999. Le Burundi après la suspension de l'embargo : aspects internes et régionaux. http://www.crisisweb.org/ [Accessed 15 July 1999], pp. 29-41.

Africa Confidential [London]. 1998-June 1999.

L'Autre Afrique. 1998-July 1999.

Amnesty International. Annual report. 1999.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1998-July 1999.

Resource Centre country file. 1999.

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, World News Connection (WNC)