A Study of War
 Wars of the World*
OnWar.com
Armed Conflict
Events Data
 
 Hutu-Tutsi Violence in Burundi 1988

The gap between Hutu expectations and the realities of Tutsi hegemony lay at the root of the killings of August 1988.

Informed estimates put at 20,000 the number of people killed in the northern communes of Ntega and Marangara; the overwhelming majority were of Hutu origins. As in 1972, the initial outburst of violence--in the wake of countless provocations by local Tutsi officials--came from Hutu elements. Unlike his predecessor in 1972, however, President Buyoya's response to the crisis was surprisingly conciliatory. For one thing, the existence of a Hutu-Tutsi problem had been explicitly recognized by the Bujumbura authorities, along with the need for appropriate solutions. Moreover, a conscious effort had been made to achieve parity of ethnic representation within the government. Finally, and most important, a national commission was entrusted with the task of making specific recommendations to the government to "protect and strengthen the unity of the people of Burundi."
Last Update: December 16, 2000

Armed Conflict Events Database

Armed Conflict Events Data (ACED) is an research project providing independent information about known wars, international disputes, civil wars, rebellions, coups, revolutions, genocides and other violent conflicts. ACED has been online since December 2000. Various partial revisions and modifications have been implemented since then, however, the limitations of the this format hamper further development. During 2005, the decision was made to radically restructure the available conflict information into a database. The new Armed Conflict Events Database (ACEDb) will substantially increase the utility of available conflict data for students of military history. As well, it will offer expanded opportunities to add and edit records of conflict. Existing research material will be maintained in its present form but no revisions are planned. More news about the development of ACEDb may be found at News About the Armed Conflict Events Database. Feedback is welcome.