A presentation that I gave at the Great Lakes Policy Forum (on February 8th, 2012 at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC) as a Land Tenure Associate at Landesa (www.landesa.org).

1. These are the Conflicts that Destroy
Families and Communities:
Conflicts over Land in Post-War Burundi
Kelsey Jones-Casey
Land Tenure Associate, Landesa
Great Lakes Policy Forum
February 8th, 2012
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Washington DC

2. OUTLINE OF TODAY S TALK
I. Environment shaping land conflicts
in Burundi
A. Population density & land scarcity
B. Return of Refugees & IDPs
C. The new Land Code
II. Nature of these conflicts
A. Types of land conflicts
B. [Film clip]
C. Women s rights to land
III. Addressing land conflicts
A. Dispute resolution mechanisms
B. Mitigation of conflicts
C. Land formalization
IV. The road ahead
2

3. CONTEXT OF LAND CONFLICT
IN BURUNDI
1. Population Density and Land
Scarcity
2. Return of Refugees and IDPs
3. The New Land Code
3

4. POPULATION DENSITY AND LAND
SCARCITY
Photos: Debbie Espinosa, Landesa
4

5. POPULATION DENSITY AND
LAND SCARCITY
• Population increased 6.8% from 2003 to 2011,
and is expected to double before 2030.
• Population density increased from 219 to 367
people per square kilometer.
• Average land holding is .5 to .7 hectares, divided
between 2 to 4 parcels.
• Burundi is very dependent on agriculture.
5

6. RETURN OF REFUGEES
AND IDPs
6

7. THE NEW LAND CODE
Photo: Global Rights
7

8. INNOVATIONS OF THE
NEW LAND CODE
1. Creation of a new National Lands Commission
2. Creation of commune-level land offices and
pilot certification
3. Limits on expropriation
4. Limits on conversions of state land
5. Transfer of ownership of paysannat lands
8

9. TYPES OF LAND
CONFLICTS IN BURUNDI
• Ownership conflicts
• Boundary conflicts
• Conflicts over purhcase and sale
• Inheritance conflicts
• Conflicts related to state expropriate
• Landlessness
9

10. Film Clip: Burundi:
The Battle for the Land
YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/S89itO3dHw8?t=48s (:48 to 4:58)
10

11. WOMEN S ACCESS AND
RIGHTS TO LAND
Photo: Debbie Espinosa, Landesa
11

12. MECHANISMS FOR DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
• Customary dispute resolution
• Local authorities & CNTB
• NGOs and community based organizations
Photo: Jane Boles, Flickr
12

13. MITIGATION OF LAND
CONFLICTS
• Awareness-raising and sensitization
• Collaboration with CNTB
• Alternative livelihoods & land improvement
• Land governance, administration, formalization
13
Photo: UNDP, Flickr

14. FORMALIZATION OF
LAND RIGHTS
Photo: Swiss Cooperation, Burundi Land Tenure Program
14

15. THE ROAD AHEAD
1. Reduce pressures on land
2. Coordinate mediation activities
3. Decentralize of land administration
4. Bridge the gap between statutory and customary law
5. Further succession law
Photo: Debbie Espinosa, Landesa
15

16. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
These are the Conflicts that Destroy
Families and Communities:
Conflicts over Land in Post-War Burundi
Kelsey Jones-Casey
Research & Land Tenure Associate
Landesa | Rural Development Institute
kelseyjc@landesa.org
16