1.2.3 Improving Government Effectiveness
23. Despite remarkable Figure 1.11: Burundi Governance at a glance, 2011 achievements in the post-conflict data period, 29 the quality of governance Voice and Percentile remains a key development challenge Accountabi lity Rank Burundi for Burundi, undermining its 40 Political (0-100) 30 economic and social potential and Control of Stability/A 20 Corruption bsence of increasing the risks of conflict and 10 Violence 0 fragility. The 2011 World Governance Governme Percentile nt Rule of Indicators provide a quick snapshot of Rank Africa Law Effectivene the challenges confronting Burundi. The ss regional Regulatory country lags well behind the African average (0Quality 100) regional average on most dimensions of governance. In particular, Burundi ranks in the lowest tenth percentile on Source: World Governance Indicators, 2011. Government Effectiveness, the Rule of Law, Regulatory Quality, and Control of Corruption. While Political Stability has substantially improved, concerns over security remain. 30 However, the country performs relatively well on Voice and Accountability, in itself a major achievement in a fragile post-conflict setting. Overall, the picture suggests that the Government has been right to identify good governance and the rule of law as strategic pillars for development and means to preserve the gains from improved stability.31 24. Economic performance will depend on improvements in state effectiveness. The performance of the public administration represents another area of concern and has been identified by the government as an area requiring urgent reforms. This is reflected in the World Bank’s CPIA scores: despite the fact that Burundi scores better than the average fragile states in the region (CPIA score 3.1 against an average of 2.7), the country remains still below the average IDA-eligible country in terms of overall institutional capacity, as well as below the average of EAC countries (Figure 1.13). This is largely explained by the low performance on PFM and governance (Figure 1.12).
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Since the 2000 Arusha Peace agreement, the country has made remarkable achievements in consolidating peace and security. In 2005, the Parliament approved the new Constitution emphasizing power sharing and local development. In 2006, a cease fire agreement with signed between the government and the last rebel movement, effectively ending the hostilities. In 2010, the country successfully held the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections. The reconciliation process has been strengthened by the creation of governance related institutions, such as the Ombudsman’s Office, the National Independent Human Rights Commission, and the Independent Electoral Commission. 30 In early 2012, for example, the U.N. Security Council expressed concerned over alleged extrajudicial killings by security forces. Reflecting broader security concerns, the Government has deployed a battalion at the Congo border. 31 This approach has been formalized in 2011 with the approval of the National Strategy for Good Governance and Fight against Corruption.
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