BURUNDI POLICY REFORM LAND POLICY PAPER

The majority of the population depends directly on resources derived from the land, while those without land face limited alternatives in the industrial and service sectors. The questions surrounding land management are inherently sensitive and central, with responses serving as a key indicator for the country's future. The Burundian government has identified a pressing need for land policy reform. The country's population is growing at an unprecedented rate, and the return of long-term refugees has added to the pressure on land resources. Irregular cessions and concessions of state-owned land have further complicated the situation. Citizens are turning to local institutions to secure their property rights, with nearly 70% of conflicts brought before the courts involving land boundary disputes. The current land management system is inadequate, with a mere 46,000 land titles established over a century. Outside of major cities, most land is not registered, and the information that is recorded often does not reflect reality. The lack of registration has led to a reliance on customary law, which is no longer sufficient to provide independent land security. The destitution of traditional land authorities and the individualization of land ownership have eroded the traditional system of land management. The consequences of the land crisis are far-reaching. The proliferation of land conflicts has contributed to a decline in social cohesion and security. The uncertainty surrounding land ownership has become a major source of conflict and violence, often pitting family members against each other. The situation has also led to a degradation of land quality, with many people being forced to overexploit and degrade their land due to the scarcity of available land. The Burundian government has recognized the need for a comprehensive land policy reform. The policy aims to address the current land management challenges and provide a framework for securing land rights. The policy focuses on four key strategic axes: renovating the land and domain legislation, restructuring and modernizing land management services, decentralizing land management, and conducting an inventory of state-owned land. The policy seeks to address the current land management challenges by promoting a more secure and equitable land tenure system. The policy aims to provide a framework for securing land rights, promoting sustainable land use, and reducing land conflicts. The policy also seeks to promote investment in the agricultural sector by providing a more secure and predictable land tenure system. The policy will be implemented through a range of measures, including the establishment of a land information system, the provision of training and capacity-building programs for land officials, and the development of a land use plan. The policy will also involve the participation of local communities and stakeholders in the land management process. The policy has the potential to contribute to the achievement of several development goals, including poverty reduction, food security, and sustainable land use. The policy also has the potential to promote social cohesion and security by reducing land conflicts and promoting a more equitable land tenure system. The policy will be implemented over a period of several years, with the first phase focusing on the renovation of the land and domain legislation. The second phase will focus on restructuring and modernizing land management services, while the third phase will focus on decentralizing land management. The final phase will involve the implementation of the land use plan and the provision of training and capacity-building programs for land officials. The policy will be monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure its effectiveness and impact. The policy will also be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changing circumstances and new challenges. The policy has the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of the country's development goals and to promote a more secure and equitable land tenure system.