The journey toward forgiveness : a case of reconciliation and strategic governance in Burundi and the Great Lakes Region of Africa : recent leadership developments and policy decision-making

Abstract

The process of justice and reconciliation is not only a matter of healing memories and receiving forgiveness. It is rather a matter of addressing the social structures that provoked, promoted, and sustained the occurrence of acts of violence. This article examines the journey toward forgiveness focusing on the case of reconciliation and strategic governance in Burundi. An emphasis will be essentially placed on the recent developments. In this article the intention is not to examine the social structures but to identify some of the theories that can assist the Burundian people to engage in the peace-building process in the aftermath of conflicts. The case of Burundi is not unique hence the ideas outlined in this article are also applicable to other countries in the Great Lakes region and even beyond. The article will suggest the adoption of a leadership model most suited for the region, as it contains the elements that are appropriate for a leadership paradigm that could work in sub- Saharan Africa. This article further interrogates the assumption that, decisionmaking and policy analysis in the public sector realm can be ‘rational’, against the inherent messiness of politics in the developing world.