Positive Developments

Liberia

August 11, 2004 marked the first anniversary of former President Charles Taylor fall from power and his subsequent exile to Nigeria. It also marked the anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra, Ghana, by warring factions and political stakeholders. A transitional government, made up of the three armed factions and civilian society groups, took power in 2003.

Elections were held in October of 2005, which brought to power Africa’s first woman president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf won a runoff election with George Weah, a popular candidate among the youth, particularly former child soldiers. She has a lready begun to undertake reforms, emphasizing government transparency and unity. She has taken a tough anti-corruption stance. She has also g arnered the support of women with the passing of new legislation, which came into effect the day after her inauguration.

Burundi

Burundi continues to cope with the legacy of a long and brutal civil war between rebels from the Hutu majority and the politically dominant Tutsi minority. However, in mid-2005 the country held successful elections and appears to be on the road to lasting peace. Burundi held both parliamentary and presidential elections, and both were won by members of the Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD), a former Hutu rebel group. Pierre Nkurunziza, FDD’s leader was elected president. The party has made reconciliation its highest priority and has begun actively recruiting Tutsis. It has also pledged security, including – notably - negotiations with the only active Hutu rebel group, the Forces for National Liberation (FNL).

Major challenges remain. There are thousands of returning refugees, and the country is experiencing major food shortages. Also, negotiations with the FNL could be difficult, as the two parties are rivals.

Tanzania

After the collapse of the Somali regime of Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991, a majority of Somali Bantu refugees settled in Tanzania’s eastern region of Tanga. In 2005, the Somali Bantu were granted citizenship and agricultural land in Tanga. The move is symbolic because it is believed that the Somali Bantu descend from Tanga. According to the Tanzanian government, the Bantu already speak the language and follow the customs of the people of the region.