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7752nd Security Council Meeting: Situation in Burundi
Expressing concern about continuing violence and a persistent political impasse in Burundi, the Security Council requested today that the Secretary-General establish a police officers component in the country for one year to monitor the security situation and to support Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Adopting resolution 2303 (2016) by 11 votes in favour to none against with 4 abstentions (Angola, China, Egypt, Venezuela), the Council authorized a ceiling of 228 United Nations individual police officers for the component, to be deployed in Bujumbura and throughout Burundi.
The Council strongly urged the Government and all parties to cease and reject violence, and condemned any public statement inciting hatred. It demanded that all sides refrain from any action that would threaten peace and stability or undermine the inter-Burundian dialogue.
By other terms, the Council urged the Government to respect and guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in line with their international obligations. While welcoming steps taken to withdraw media bans, cancel arrest warrants and release detainees, it urged the Government to fulfil its remaining commitments.
The Council further urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the East African Community-led, African Union-endorsed mediator and facilitator for an inclusive and genuine inter-Burundian dialogue.
It also requested that the Secretary-General strengthen the Office of the Special Adviser for Conflict Prevention by substantially increasing the number of political officers in Burundi.
Speaking after the vote, the representative of France described the adoption as an important step towards restoring lasting peace in Burundi. In preparation of the text, Council members focused on supporting an inter-Burundian dialogue, while reiterating that the peace process must be based on the Arusha Peace Agreement. Also drawing attention to the Rwanda genocide, he said “the Security Council has learned from its past experiences”.
Expressing concern that Burundi’s past could be repeating itself, the representative of the United States said that while the police contingent mandated by the resolution would put eyes and ears on the ground, it would not protect civilians. It was unfortunate that the Council was unable to unite around even such a modest resolution, raising serious questions about its willingness to act to prevent atrocities.
The representative of Angola said that the establishment of a United Nations police force in Burundi must be done in consultation with the Government, and the resolution should make a contribution to urgently needed political dialogue. While his country had made good faith proposals aimed at achieving a widely accepted compromise, it was unfortunate that such proposals had not been sufficiently taken into account.
Echoing that sentiment, Egypt’s representative said his delegation had abstained in the vote as there had been a “selective approach” with regard to the police component. The current situation could have a negative impact on the country and the region, he said, stressing that the text did not fully represent the views of the Council.
Also speaking today were the representatives of China, Uruguay, United Kingdom, Spain, Malaysia, Venezuela, Senegal, Ukraine, New Zealand, Russian Federation and Japan.
The meeting began at 5:21 p.m. and ended at 6:15 p.m.
