I. INTRODUCTION 1. The protection of the rights of the child is a concern of the Government of Burundi, and the multifaceted actions undertaken in this area translate this commitment. In domestic law, we can cite in particular the adoption of numerous laws and the subscription to several international instruments 2. At international level, Burundi ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 and has already submitted 2 periodic reports of its implementation to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 3. At regional level, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted on 9 July 1990 by the 26th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity ( OAU), current African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). 4. The Republic of Burundi ratified the Charter on 28 June 2004; which implies the commitment of Burundi to prepare an initial report in accordance with Article 43 (1) of the said Charter. 5. In the light of this provision, Burundi prepared its initial report on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. 6. This report therefore covers the period from 2004 to 2016 in consideration of the date of entry into force of the Charter in Burundi. This report is prepared in accordance with the guidelines proposed by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child according to the following framework: General measures of implementation; ➢The definition of the child; ➢The general principles of child protection; ➢Civil rights and freedoms; ➢Family environment and alternative care; ➢Basic health and well-being of the child; ➢Education, recreation and cultural activities; ➢Special measures for the protection of the child; ➢The responsibilities of the child. 7. The initial report is written when Burundi has just been through- since April 2015- a sociopolitical situation characterised by a climate of insecurity in certain parts of the country. This situation has a negative impact on the realisation of children's rights. Thousands of children have had their basic rights violated, a number of which have crossed the border with or without their parents. With a view to stabilising the country, an inter-Burundian dialogue has been initiated internally and externally, and a mediator appointed by the sub region is working to bring together the protagonists’ positions. 6