Letter of Understanding / Lettre de Compréhension

This is to certify that the following has been agreed upon between TFF, The Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research in Sweden and the Burundian non-governmental organizations listed below which together form the TFF Amahoro Coalition in Burundi.

Background

The current situation in Burundi in general and the forthcoming peace process in particular requires an immediate burden sharing attendance by the international community both in terms of political and financial commitments and resources for capacity building in the human dimensions of conflict-resolution in a broad sense. Under this concept and after having completed a nine days fact-finding and feasibility study, TFF and the below listed organizations have come to the conclusion that the conditions exist to develop a mutually beneficial collaborative research and training agenda.

Purpose

The purpose of the collaboration project is to create synergy and augment the understanding and effectiveness of the Burundians regarding their role in the political, security and human resources development and to mutually assist in the consolidation of the Burundian peace process. The TFF Amahoro Coalition is a joint venture serving to benefit all organizations involved as well as the wider Burundian society. TFF contributes its research and training experience i.e. principles and knowledge in conflict resolution, reconciliation and mitigation and thus provides a common intellectual platform and training philosophy. The Burundian NGOs contribute their knowledge, expertise and experiences and implement commonly agreed programs throughout Burundian society throughout the peace process.

Commitments

It is agreed that this Letter of Understanding forms the nucleus for a future cooperation assuming that necessary financial recourses will be available. In fulfillment of this agreement the following commitments are assumed:

• That TFF, in cooperation with the parties, develop a training and research agenda that is appropriate to the needs of the Burundian society

• That TFF, in cooperation with the parties, finds and allocates the necessary funds, as TFF itself has no program funds of its own.

• That the parties, in cooperation with TFF, produce a comprehensive research and training program with sub-programs and provide all necessary information for fund-raising and, later, the establishment of the program.

• That the parties form today the TFF Amahoro Coalition, which will implement the program(s) together.

• That TFF will assist in implementing the program in all ways it can.

Liaison and coordination

Dr. Sururu Adolphe has been appointed TFF Program Coordinator and Ms. Chantal Mutamuriza as TFF Liaison in Burundi, both serving to the best of their abilities the TFF Amahoro Coalition. If and when funding is secured, one Burundian organization will be appointed to take care of the financial management as required by the donor(s).

Duration

This Agreement should have duration of one year after which the parties may decide a renewal.

This Letter of Understanding is signed at Hotel Amahoro, Bujumbura, December 4, 2003.Lettre de Compréhension

La présente est pour certifier que ce qui suit a été convenu entre TFF, La Fondation Transnationale pour la Recherche de la Paix et du Futur basée en Suède et les Organisations Non Gouvernementales Burundaises citées ci-dessous qui, ensemble forment la Coalition TFF Amahoro au Burundi.

Contexte

La situation actuelle du Burundi en général et le processus de paix en cours en particulier demandent une participation immédiate dans le partage du fardeau par la communauté internationale en terme d’engagement politico-financier ainsi qu’en ressources pour le renforcement des capacités dans les dimensions humaines de résolution des conflits dans un sens large. Dans le même concept et après avoir accompli une étude d’identification des faits et de faisabilité durant neuf jours, TFF et les organisations ci-dessous citées ont abouti à une conclusion qu’il existe des conditions développement d’une recherche collaborative mutuellement bénéfique et d’un agenda de formation..

Objectif

L’objectif de ce projet de collaboration est de créer une synergie et de relever le niveau de compréhension et d’efficacité des Burundais en tenant compte de leur rôle dans le développement politique, sécuritaire et en ressources humaines et de s’assister mutuellement dans la consolidation du processus de paix Burundais. La Coalition TFF Amahoro est une initiative conjointe servant à bénéficier à toutes les organisations impliquées ainsi qu’à la société Burundaise par extension. TFF contribue de part son expérience en recherche et en formation, c’est à dire en principes et en connaissances de résolution, d’atténuation de conflit et de réconciliation et ainsi offre une philosophie commune de plateforme intellectuel et de formation. Les ONGs Burundaises de part leur connaissance, expertise et expériences contribuent à exécuter pour la société burundaise des programmes conclus ensemble à travers le processus de paix.

Engagements

Il est convenu que cette lettre de compréhension forme le noyau d’une future coopération supposant que les recours de financement nécessaires seront disponibles. Pour matérialiser cet accord, les responsabilités suivantes doivent être assumées:

• TFF, en coopération avec les parties, développe a un agenda de formation et de recherche approprié aux besoins de la société Burundaise.

• TFF, en coopération avec les parties, cherche et alloue les fonds nécessaires, comme TFF n’a pas de programme de financement propre.

• Les parties, en coopération avec TFF, établissent un programme de recherche et de formation compréhensible avec des sous-programmes et délivrent toute information nécessaire pour la recherche de fonds et pour le prochain établissement du programme.

• Les parties forment aujourd’hui la Coalition TFF Amahoro, qui exécutera ensemble le(s) programme(s).

• TFF supportera l’exécution du programme dans la mesure du possible.

Liaison et coordination

Ont été nommés Coordinateur de Programme TFF; Dr. Sururu Adolphe, Liaison TFF au Burundi; Mlle. Chantal Mutamuriza, tous les deux serviront avec le meilleur de leurs capacités la Coalition TFF Amahoro. Si et quand le financement serait assuré une Organisation Burundaise sera désignée pour prendre en charge la gestion financière telle que requise par le(s) bailleur(s).

Durée

Cet accord devrait avoir une durée d’une année après laquelle les parties pourraient en décider le renouvellement.

Cette Lettre de Compréhension est signée à Bujumbura le 04 décembre 2003 à l’Hôtel Amahoro.

List of Parties – Les Signataires

……………………………………………..

Charles Ndayiziga, coordinateur,

CENAP, Centre d’Alerte et

de Prévention des Conflits

…………………………………………….

Alexis Sinduhije, directeur,

RPA, Radio Publique Africaine

……………………………………………

Joseph Ntiruhungwa, Président et fondateur

APDH, Association Pour La Paix et

Les Droits de L’Homme,

………………………………………….

David Niyonzima, Président

THARS, Trauma Healing and

Reconciliation Services

…………………………………………

Cyprien Ndikumana, Coordinateur

Maison de la Presse

………………………………………….

Patricia Ntahorubuze, coordinatrice

AFJ, Association de Femmes Juristes

………………………………………….

Christophe Sebudandi, Président

OAG, Observatoire de l’Action Gouvernementale

…………………………………………….

Sinarinzi Mamert

CAP, Compagnie des Apôtres de la Paix

………………………………………

Sururu Adolphe, professor

The National University of Burundi

TFF Program Coordinator

…………………………..

Christian Harleman

Chair, TFF Board

…………………………………………….

Chantal Mutamuriza, Président & Founder

ACAT, Action By Christians Against Torture

TFF Liaison

………………………………………………

Jan Oberg

TFF director & founder

Notes of 04.01.02 /ch

– Two originals exist – one in English and one in French

– List of Parties – single column in the originals

END

PhD, Peace & future researcher + ‌Art Photographer, Professor Emeritus and media commentator

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