Situated in east-central Africa, Burundi is a small landlocked country of 10,750
square miles (27,830km2) that accommodates a population of around 10 million
people belonging to three ethnic groups, namely: Hutus (85%), Tutsis (14%), and
Twas (1%) (Lemarchand, 1995). Its neighbouring countries are Rwanda, Tanzania,
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although these three ethnic groups share
the same culture and mother tongue, Burundi has experienced a sequence of ethnic
conflicts (Lemarchand, 1995). Various attempts to deal with the ethnic conflicts have
been put in place but these have failed to achieve sustainable peace. The current
situation has raised concern. This chapter looks at the history of conflicts in Burundi
and suggests the role of practical theology in bringing about reconciliation to
the nation.