Explanation Table of Contents:
Explanation Part I--Transition Of Power
Explanation Part II--The Coup
Explanation Part III--After the Coup
Explanation Part IV--The Chaos Continues
The ethnic conflict going on in Burundi is a deep seeded conflict, rooted in centuries of ethnic tension. Though the lines distinguishing the two tribes was blurred for a time, due to the recent events and because of the statements of some politicians, the lines are now very clear.
The Hutu outnumber Tutsi, six to one. (Boyer, p. 37-40.) For this reason the Tutsis have a significant fear of their safety in the possible case of Hutus taking power in the government. The Hutus, who have historically been oppressed politically, socially, and even academically, want their fair share of the power (Watson, p. 59).
However, at this point, both sides are responding with violence rather than effective polical measures. Sans Echec , a member of the Tutsi militia, expressed an opinion held by many Tutsi, which was that "the problem can only be solved if we disarm all the Hutus and then have real democracy" ("Burundi on the Brink," Econ., Ap 8, '95). On the other hand, one Hutu leader, Savimbi, was quoted as saying "We will fight the army whatever it takes." ("Tutsi Army...," NYT, June 7, 95).
Due to mutual mistrust and hatred the conflict between the two tribes seems almost impossible to solve, at least in the immediate future. Half-attempts at power sharing have failed, as neither side is fully willing to compromise, dooming the attempts to fail.