SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON BURUNDI

 

The following Security Council press statement on Burundi was read out today by Council President Jan Grauls ( Belgium):

The members of the Security Council welcome the signing of the joint Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL on 26 May and note with satisfaction the return to Burundi of the Palipehutu-FNL leader, Agathon Rwasa, on 30 May.  The members of the Security Council take note with satisfaction of the decision taken by President [Pierre] Nkurunziza and Palipehutu-FNL leader Rwasa at the meeting facilitated by Minister Charles Nqakula on 18 August to take henceforth responsibility and ownership for addressing the issues which have been blocking the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement of 7 September 2006, through a series of meetings.

The members of the Security Council urge the parties to implement the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement in accordance with the agreed timeline in the Revised Programme of Action and in line with the mutual commitments made in June in Magaliesberg.  They call upon the parties to demonstrate flexibility in overcoming the obstacles that are hindering the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement while respecting the framework of the Constitution of Burundi.  The members of the Security Council encourage the Palipehutu-FNL to work with the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in order to start rapidly and fully implement the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration-process following the regrouping of its combatants in preassembly areas, and encourage them all to move to assembly areas.

The members of the Security Council express their appreciation and continued support for the efforts of the Political Directorate, of South Africa as Facilitator and of the Regional Initiative, and encourage them to sustain their commitment to help the parties to reach a successful conclusion to the peace process.  The members of the Security Council underline in particular the importance of the efforts of the Political Directorate aimed at assisting the parties in overcoming all their differences within the agreed time frame.

The members of the Security Council stress that the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement constitutes a critical step that will help Burundi’s partners accelerate their support for peacebuilding and development in Burundi, in conformity with the pledges announced at the round table of May 2007.  The members of the Security Council welcome the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission and encourage it to continue to assist the Government of Burundi in laying the foundations for long-term development in Burundi and in mobilizing the resources needed to consolidate peace and security, including for the coming elections.

The members of Security Council welcome the resumption of work at the National Assembly and encourage the Government and all political parties and stakeholders, in the lead-up to elections scheduled for 2010, to maintain the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue enshrined in the Burundian Constitution that had led to a successful transition.

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For information media • not an official record