Burundi votes in new constitution
Tuesday, 1 March 2005
Burundi votes in new constitution
In the first time Burundians have voted since 1993, voters have approved a new power-sharing constitution designed to end 12 years of ethnic conflict.
With 80% of the votes counted, an overwhelming majority have said Yes to a proposed constitution which would see power shared along ethnic lines.
President Domitien Ndayizeye said the vote opened an "era of democracy" for the war-scarred country.
Election officials said 88% of the 3.1 million eligible voters had taken part in Monday's poll and some 90% had voted Yes.
Burundi like its neighbour Rwanda, has suffered from years of tribal conflict, between the Hutu majority and a Tutsi elite. Tutsis, who make up 14% of the population but have traditionally dominated power, will have 40% of seats in the national assembly, compared to 60% for Hutus.
In 1993, a Hutu, Melchior Ndadaye, was elected as president. Shortly after his election, he was assassinated by Tutsi soldiers and the country descended into civil war.
"Burundians can be proud of the success of this electoral day which bodes well for the polls to come," said Carolyn McAskie, chief of the UN mission in Burundi (ONUB).
The new constitution promises both ethnic groups to set out a share of posts they will have in parliament and government and crucially also in the army.
Military posts will be shared equally between the two groups.
The deal has encouraged all but one of the Hutu rebel groups to lay down their arms but some pro-Tutsi parties oppose the proposed constitution, saying it does not give Tutsis enough guarantees.
Others also fear that ethnic divisions will be enshrined.
It is anticipated that the real challenge will come after elections.
Hundreds of thousands have been killed since independence in massacre and counter-massacre committed against both Hutus and Tutsis.
"Burundi is marking a very important step in its history. We are leaving a dark period of conflict and moving towards a new era of democracy," said Mr Ndayizeye.
Many rural voters know little about the content of the constitution, but they hope it will put an end to ethnic violence in Burundi, our correspondent says.
"This vote for me means we need get a constitution and a government of national unity that will work to end this war. And I will be able to rest after six years I have been fighting," said Eric Bigirumuhirwa, a Hutu soldier.
Parliamentary elections are due in April and the MPs will in turn elect a new president.
