Peacebuilding Commission

Burundi configuration

3^rd Meeting (AM)

Peacebuilding commission adopts conclusions,

 

Recommendations on situation in Burundi

 

The Peacebuilding Commission this morning adopted proposed conclusions and recommendations on the situation in that East African country, expressing optimism about progress achieved in consolidating peace, while at the same time stressing that recent reports of violent incidents highlighted the need for vigilance and commitment in fulfilling the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding there.

Introducing the conclusions and recommendations (document PBC/2/BDI/L.1), Burundi configuration Chairman John Løvald ( Norway) said he had taken part in a meeting of Special Representatives and Special Envoys on Burundi in Cape Town on 22 and 23 February, which had been convened by South Africa in its capacity as Facilitator of the Burundi Peace Process.  A “Programme of Action to Take Further the Burundi Peace Process” had been discussed and had now been presented to both the Burundi Government and to the Palipehutu-FNL (Forces nationales de libération).

The Programme of Action encompassed the 31 December timetable that the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi had extended for the mandate of the facilitation component.  The Programme was aimed at comprehensively addressing the political, security and socio-economic reintegration dimensions of the peace process, to ensure early resumption and to prevent a collapse in the future.

Carried out in two phases, the Programme will define the safe return of all FNL leaders and combatants to Burundi.  It will also define their political, economic and social integration, complete with close monitoring to ensure the security of FNL members and the proper functioning of systems catering to their integration.  The Programme was predicated on the Government and the FNL bearing primary responsibility for full implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and for conclusion of the peace process.

The document adopted today observed that the Palipehutu-FNL had withdrawn from the 2007 Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism established to implement the 2006 Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement.  In response, a Political Directorate had been established to assist the Mechanism in efforts to regain FNL’s participation.  Based in Bujumbura, it would facilitate dialogue on political obstacles to implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.  It would also promote trust and help implement political arrangements reached.  Finally, while positive developments had occurred, recent violent incidents had prompted expressions of concern, including clashes at Gatumba on 29 February and grenade attacks on four parliamentarians on 8 March.  The parties had been called upon to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay and to work through national institutions to ease tensions.  The Government had indicated its commitment to investigating the attacks and protecting the population.

Further, the Commission recommended that the Government continue to explore all possible ways to resolve difference with the leaders of Palipehutu-FNL, with a view towards the political solutions, as outlined in the Programme of Action.  The Government should also take confidence-building measures and create suitable conditions for the return and reintegration of the FNL, which in turn should participate in the work of the Mechanism and its structures, as well as in the work of the Political Directorate in accordance with the timelines outlined in the Programme.  Also, the Government and all relevant stakeholders should continue dialogue, with a view to resolving differences and working together through national institutions to ease tensions.  The facilitation, the Regional Peace Initiative, the African Union and the Political Directorate should continue helping to ensure implementation of the 2006 Ceasefire Agreement according to the time frame set out in the Programme of Action.

Finally, the document calls for the Secretary-General to playing a “robust political role” in support of the peace process in full coordination with regional and international partners, including through the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB).  The Security Council should closely monitor the situation, while the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council provided support for the programme of action.  Donors and other partners should stand ready to support the Government’s efforts, including the financing of reintegration efforts.  The Commission will remain committed to paying close attention to developments, in particular to monitoring progress and risks in consolidation of peace.

Turning to other matters related to the Commission’s Burundi configuration, Chairman Løvald recalled his call for flexibility and responsiveness to developments in Burundi for achieving the goals in the Strategic Framework when the work plan had been presented in February.  In consequence, the discussion on establishing an independent National Electoral Commission had been postponed until later in the year, so as to afford more time for preparations.

Further, he said, a thematic meeting on sustainable solutions to land issues would be held earlier, rather than later in the year in view of the pace and timelines set for the return of refugees from the United Republic of Tanzania.  The tentative date was set for 14 May, pending discussions with relevant parties.  Since humanitarian assistance to Burundian refugees returning home was critical to Burundi’s consolidation of peace, both the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had launched appeals for funding.  Due to pipeline breaks last year, WFP needed $6 million more to provide food assistance for up to 90,000 refugees expected to return.  The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had also appealed for $34 million over a two-year period to assist some 218,000 Burundian refugees who had fled to Tanzania in 1972.  Approximately 20 per cent of those would return to Burundi.  The rest would be settled in Tanzania with a comprehensive assistance package to enable local integration.

Finally, he said the Commission’s next visit to Burundi would take place from 19 to 24 April.  An informal meeting of the Burundi configuration would be held on 9 April in preparation.  The structures of the Monitoring and Tracking Mechanism of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding had been officially launched just yesterday in Bujumbura.  Preparations would begin next week for the first biannual review on 23 June, preceded by a Civil Society Organizations’ briefing on 16 June.

And on 9 June, he concluded, an event was planned in partnership with the International Peace Academy, which would become the International Peace Institute next week.  All stakeholders would participate in the event, held on the anniversary of the very successful round table held in Bujumbura last year, which would also focus on resource requirements.

Also during this morning’s meeting, Slovenia’s representative, on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the Commission’s document.  The Union had issued a statement expressing concern over the recent events in Burundi.  He called for the consolidated address of the political, social and economic challenges confronting Burundi and for the participation of all members in furthering the peace process.

Belgium’s representative said the document was an appropriate template that could be applied in the future.  The conclusions basically concerned the role of the FNL.  Further, he fully supported the holding of specific meetings on the land issue and on repatriation, while discussion of the national electoral commission should be postponed until authorities were more up to speed on the issues.  While his embassy could not personally take part in the visit, it wanted to be in on the process as fully as possible.

The representative of the Russian Federation echoed that view.

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For information media • not an official record