The Arusha peace accord, which focuses on a transitional power-sharing government and military reforms, was signed in August of 2000 and has helped put an end to most of the fighting.

Although many parts of the country are now secure, Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, continues to look like a city under siege. In the hills surrounding the city, the only rebel group to refuse to sign the peace accord continues to launch attacks. On the streets, people are bracing themselves for the country's first multi-party elections since the war began.