The socio-political status of Muslim Swahili minority in Burundi

The pattern of discrimination began before 1962-the year which Burundi achieved its independence from the Belgian colonizers. According to many historians, Prince Louis Rwagasore, the hero of independence, with the help of Muslim Swahili Minority freed Burundi from colonizers. Today, this minority group is discriminated by the non-Muslim Burundian majority. The Government of Burundi has defined them as "detached" from other Burundian population. Therefore, the overall aim of this research is to better analyze the roots and effects of scapegoating and Islamophobia in Burundi. It also explores different strategies used by Muslim Swahilis to remain neutral in the Burundian ethnic crises and what specific measures are to be taken to change the adverse situation. This qualitative research is designed in line with online surveys and semi-structured interviews held with 30 participants, and the content analysis of their social platform accounts. The results show how colonial masters' "divide and rule" strategies, subpar governance after independence, and sociocultural disparities contributed to a number of issues facing Muslim Swahilis up to this day. Also, the results demonstrate that this situation causes "brain drain" and divides the nation in two blocks. Furthermore, Swahilis identified themselves more as Muslims than as Hutus or Tutsis. Eventually, it is important to note that since the arrival of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, a new path of democratization has been taken in Burundi. Finally, among the measures which they believe can change the current situation, they cited the insertion of the role of Muslim Swahilis in the history of Burundi's official documents and an inclusive interpretation of the constitution or even changes to make it more equal and non-discriminative to all Burundians. Keywords: Muslim Swahili Minority, Discrimination, Neutrality Burundian Government, Equality