The Burundian Senate is currently evaluating the future of the country's system of constitutional ethnic quotas. In this context, we review the objectives and track-record of these quotas, and provide some thoughts on the current evaluation process. A compromise solution aiming to promote ethnic inclusivity without perpetuating ethnic divisions, ethnic quotas helped reducing the salience of ethnicity in politics in post-war Burundi, but have been evaded and eroded by the ruling party over time. The current evaluation could constitute an opportunity to build a shared understanding on quotas – if it is conducted in an open, inclusive and transparent manner.