The peace is shaky again in Burundi, where the government is accusing the FNL rebels of plotting further attacks, and the FNL are saying–as they have been for years–that they just want to be a legitimate political party. So says Reuters.
This is good news for anyone who makes money off of instability, which is a bigger group of people and profit than most of us compassionate naifs often think. It’s also good news, perhaps, for a surprising actor: an anti-landmine organizatoin.
I found this on Reuters Alertnet a few weeks ago:
The team with me, from Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), are hoping to complete an ambitious mission in September and declared Burundi the first conflict zone in the world completely free of all known landmines and unexploded ordnance.
To meet that goal, of course, requires that Burundi still be considered a conflict zone with the FSD finishes its operations, be that ahead of schedule or behind. I’m sure the good people of FSD had no such intention, and I’m clearly feeling a little snarky today, but the goal crafted for a sound byte is just a bit too ironic to pass up.
Do you know of any detailed reports that discuss the economy in Burundi? Who is profiting and in which industries? Can you elaborate your statement?