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Les Evolutions Socio-Economiques au Rwanda et au Burundi
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Ansoms, An |
| Copyright Year | 2004 |
| Abstract | Both Great Lakes countries have been confronted with violent crises that find their origin in the same explosive context of absolute and relative deprivation combined with socio-economic and ethnic problems. The duration of open violence however differs between both countries, as Rwanda has known a period of relative internal stability from 1995 onwards, while the violent disturbances in Burundi are spread over more than a decade and have continuously undermined all potential socio-economic accomplishment. Further the reaction of the international community towards these politico-military crises fundamentally differed, reflected by the divergent degree of financial engagements and aid initiatives of which both countries could benefit. While Rwanda could use its financial ‘genocide credit’ to realise economic growth and to cover its deficits on both internal and external balances, Burundi was confronted with an embargo that was imposed from July 1996 until January 1999 and turned the country into an outcast for the international donor community. The most recent economic realisations in terms of economic growth allow for some optimism for both countries. Moreover, Rwanda has entered the implementation phase of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Program, being an important access gate towards external funds and debt reduction. But also Burundi has engaged itself in the first phase of the Poverty Reduction Program by elaborating an interim PRSP document, which was followed beginning 2004 by the approval of the IMF to release substantial funds in the form of Poverty Reduction Growth Facilities. This positive evolution might be a first step for Burundi to catch up with other countries in terms of financial aid inflows. Nevertheless, current accomplishments remain very fragile. In the case of Burundi, the current period of political transition is still accompanied by many risks. As peace and internal stability are prior conditions for socio-economic development and poverty reduction, all depends upon the success of this transition process. For Rwanda, socio-economic prospects seem more optimistic. However, there is a risk that current – mostly aid-dependent – economic growth is not underpinned by increasing productive capacity and would thus not be sustainable in the long run. Moreover the challenge remains to transform this growth into mechanisms that substantially improve the living conditions of the poor – after all, the ultimate goal of all economic development. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://www.uantwerpen.be/images/uantwerpen/container2143/files/Publications/Annuaire/2003-2004/10-Ansoms.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
