SUMMARY
The Palipehutu-FNL (Parti pour la libération du peuple Hutu - Forces nationales de liberation, Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People- Forces for the National Liberation) was a rebel group active in the intrastate armed conflict that raged in Burundi in the 1990s to mid-2000s. The group was created in 1992, when the original Palipehutu movement split in two.
The original Palipehutu group was founded in 1980 when the TABARA movement changed its name. The TABARA group was in exile in Tanzania, as a consequence of the exodus of many Hutu politicians in the wake of the massive government repression and massacres of 1972. The Palipehutu propagated for the initiation of an armed struggle against the Tutsi-dominated government of Burundi so as to achieve proportional distribution of political and administrative power between Hutus and Tutsis. A first split took place around 1989-90, when some members left to launch Frolina (Front pour la libération nationale, National Liberation Front). The Palipehutu initiated its armed struggle in 1991, with FNL as its armed wing. The movement split a second time already in 1992 when Cossan Kabura abandoned the Palipehutu leader Karatasi, questioning his leadership and dedication to the armed struggle. Kabura thus founded the Palipehutu-FNL. The original group lost its military capacity and begun to focus solely on a political struggle, becoming inactive as a warring party. Kabura's movement remained a minor force in 1992 and 1993 but launched its armed campaign in 1994.
Unlike many other rebel groups in the conflict Palipehutu-FNL was largely based in Burundi, not seeking safe-havens in the DR Congo and Tanzania to the same extent as others. The movement instead had its base in the rural western areas of Burundi, although President Kabila of the DR Congo is known to have allowed the group to maintain bases in his country and launch cross-border raids into Burundi. Palipehutu-FNL also had links to Rwanda and President Habyarimana, fighting alongside FAR (the Rwandan Army) against RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) in that country's armed conflict in the early 1990s. Some former soldiers from Rwanda also joined Palipehutu-FNL after RPF defeated the government of Rwanda in 1994. These elements of the group continued to have strong links to FDLR (Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda, Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda), which fought the RPF government of Rwanda, bolstering the military capabilities of Palipehutu-FNL. As an effect of these links the government of Burundi has often criticised the group for collaborating with those responsible for the genocide in Rwanda.
Furthermore, Palipehutu-FNL had links to some groups in the DR Congo, for example being supplied with armaments by Mayi-Mayi elements. At times Palipehutu-FNL cooperated with other rebel groups in Burundi, such as CNDD-FDD, carrying out joint operations and sharing intelligence. Relations between these two groups were however better defined by conflict; in 2003 and 2004 the groups engaged in non-state conflict. Palipehutu-FNL has also made use of one-sided violence when involved in the conflict in Burundi
In 2001 leadership of the movement was taken up by Agathon Rwasa, when Kabura was accused of mismanaging the movement and of harbouring thoughts of negotiating with the government. A second split in the movement took place in 2002, when Rwasa was challenged by Alain Mugabarabona. Rwasa however remained in control of Palipehutu-FNL's main force, whilst the smaller faction entered into negotiations with the government. Agathon Rwasa's faction did not enter into negotiations until late 2006 but in 2008 they signed a peace agreement with the government of Burundi ending the conflict. As a first step to implement the new agreement Palipehutu-FNL was renamed FNL on 8 January 2009. Palipehutu means "party for the liberation of ethnic Hutus" and ethnic parties are illegal in Burundi. At the same time the group renounced violence and transformed into a political party.
Palipehutu-FNL has been involved in the intrastate, non-state and one-sided categories of UCDP organised violence.
