People

Burundi’s population is mainly tribal. Its total inhabitants of 6.4 million, comprises of about 85% Hutu, 14% Tutsi and 1% Twa Pygmies. It is one of the world’s most densely populated countries with 230 people per sq km. The Hutu and Tutsi have long viewed each other with mutual suspicion and dislike. This has been exploited and fuelled by the European colonial powers to suit their own ends. Regardless of how or why these ethnic differences arose, the country has been plunged in continued violence and bloodshed leaving large numbers killed and displaced.