From Critical Watch-Dogs to Nation-Builders

In this new Working Paper we examine how the diaspora resulting from the conflict in Burundi is involved in the development of its home country. The paper challenges the simple assumptions that a diaspora of this nature is homogeneous and must either fan the flames of a previously violence-torn society or contribute apolitically to reconstruction.

Burundi is currently recovering from decades of civil war, widespread ethnic violence and repression. Since 1972, large parts of the country's Hutu population fled ethnic massacres and civil war to neighboring countries or to the United States and Northern Europe, where they primarily engaged in politics to change the power structure at home.

The relative political stability of recent years has allowed other types of involvement. In the paper we look at both remittances (money transfers by the diaspora to its home country), investments, temporary or permanent return of the diaspora, and political participation. A significant challenge for a diaspora resulting from conflict is redefining its role from being one of political opposition to being part of a process of development. The political aspects of transnational involvement also cannot be ignored in the nation's reconstruction efforts.