Ethnic Groups and Civilization
The two major ethnic groups that have shaped the history of Burundi are Hutu and Tutsi. Since colonialism there have been major conflicts between the Hutu and Tutsi in both Burundi and neighboring Rwanda. These problems directly relate to the rule Belgium had in Burundi where King Leopold ruthlessly ruled the country from 1924 to 1961. The problems between these two ethnic groups erupted into a civil war that occurred from 1993-2005. The Tutsi were considered the "superior" ones and the Hutu wanted to rebel against the unfair system that forced them into labor and completely unfair treatment. During the extremely devastating civil war there were over 300,000 deaths, along with approximately 800,000 displaced.
Although the tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi have been mostly alleviated since a Peace Deal was signed in 2005, some say that much of the violence that is still present in Burundi is caused by the long-lasting rivalry between these two ethnic groups. There are many political problems within Burundi today, and it can be argued that beneath these political tensions are the feelings of animosity that some of the Tutsi have towards the Hutu government. Since the Hutu government was put in place, many Tutsi have been oppressed and felt as though they have not been treated equally to the majority Hutu.
Although there are still issues between the Hutu and the Tutsi, the relationship between the two is in a significantly better place than it was 10 years ago. The Hutu and Tutsi have been able to work, live, and be together and even some have been working together to oppose the current government and Nkurunziza’s completely unjust ruling system. According to a CNN article written on the current situation in Burundi, “For now, the opposition consists of both Hutus and Tutsis.” So, this shows that the tensions between these two groups have most likely been settled because they are now even able to work together to fight for their rights against the government. This means that ethnic tensions are most likely not impacting the current situation in Burundi as some have argued.
Although there are still issues between the Hutu and the Tutsi, the relationship between the two is in a significantly better place than it was 10 years ago. The Hutu and Tutsi have been able to work, live, and be together and even some have been working together to oppose the current government and Nkurunziza’s completely unjust ruling system. According to a CNN article written on the current situation in Burundi, “For now, the opposition consists of both Hutus and Tutsis.” So, this shows that the tensions between these two groups have most likely been settled because they are now even able to work together to fight for their rights against the government. This means that ethnic tensions are most likely not impacting the current situation in Burundi as some have argued.