Burundi, which will celebrate 60 years of independence on July 1, 2022, is the world's poorest country in terms of GDP per capita. This must be understood in the context of a turbulent political history. Until 1996, the country was characterized by coups, massacres, and political assassinations before devolving into a protracted civil war. In 2005, peace was finally restored. However, in 2015, the country reverted to authoritarian rule. Since then, the UN has noted progress while continuing to condemn the country's political violence. How did Burundi end up here? Why is progress so slow?
