Protection of Civilians during War in the Great Lakes Countries: The Case of the Republic of Burundi

Abstract

This article is dedicated to an in-depth analysis of the protection of civilians during the war in the Great Lakes region, with a particular focus on the Republic of Burundi. The central objective is to explore in depth the various aspects of civilian protection, encompassing violence, human rights violations, forced displacement, and other devastating consequences of war that impact civilian populations in this complex region. Focusing on the specific context of Burundi, this study aims to understand the complex realities facing civilians, highlighting the specific challenges they face during armed conflict. The ultimate aim is to formulate recommendations and solutions to improve the protection of human rights and promote human dignity in this particular context. Through an integrated approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, the study aims to provide an in-depth analysis that contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics related to the protection of civilians in the Great Lakes region, with a focus on Burundi. Ultimately, the aim is to lay the foundations for effective action to alleviate the suffering of civilians during periods of conflict and to encourage constructive initiatives in favor of peace and justice. The use of qualitative and quantitative methods, with Alain Bouchard's qualitative data coding system and sampling technique, enabled us to collect reliable data from 95 Congolese refugees, 39 UNHCR staff, 96 displaced persons, and 33 Burundian authorities. These data were analyzed using statistical software dedicated to the social sciences. The results reveal the complexity and gravity of the challenges faced by civilian populations in times of conflict, underlining the crucial importance of a strategic approach to more effective protection of human rights and human dignity, particularly in the Burundian context. It is in this perspective that our study on the protection of civilians during war in the Great Lakes countries, focusing on the Republic of Burundi, was carried out, with the aim of promoting lasting peace and fundamental respect for human dignity.