| Country: | Burundi |
| Details of Formation: | According to a US State Department Report (1998), the government created the Guardians of Peace in 1997. |
| Details of Termination: | In 2003, the government set up a three-part demobilisation programme targeting children in the Peace Guards. Shortly after the election in 2005, most members of the militia were disarmed, supported by UN Operations in Burundi. |
| Purpose: | The Guardians of Peace were trained in all provinces to ensure self-defence from rebels in the respective areas. They reportedly destroyed four rebel command posts and killed several rebels. The groups oftentimes acted in joint operations with security forces. They reinforced the regular troops and were deployed in advance of them. |
| Organisation: | Colonel Twagiramungu is said to be responsible for the conception, formation and running of the Peace Guards. |
| Weapons and Training: | The militia underwent military exercises in Northern Burundi in 2001. Training programs were set up in almost the whole country. Members were not armed unless they were patrolling during the night. They were provided with Kalashnikovs and assault rifles. |
| Size: | In March and April 2001, the Guardian of Peace program was extended. In September 2001, it was reported that 30,000 Burundians had been trained as guardians, with the largest group (5,000) being in the province of Bururi. |
| Reason for Membership: | Members were promised to be rewarded for defeating the rebels. Some members were threatened that when deserting their posts, they and their families would face punishment, including execution. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | As one source suggests, the militia freed two women who had been abducted by rebels. However, in 2002 the parliament condemned crimes such as killing, burning houses and looting villages, perpetrated by the Guardians of Peace against the population. |
| Other Information: | Members of the guardians were heavily threatened and intimidated by the FDD rebels. Consequentially, some members joined the rebel group or gave their weapons to the rebels and in turn received cash or the assurance of safety. Others fled from combat to other parts of the country. |
| References: | Human Rights Watch. 2001. “Expansion of the Guardians of the Peace. To Protect the People: The Government-sponsored "self-defense" program in Burundi.” Accessed October 2021. https://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/burundi/burundi1201-09.htm. |