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8268th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Burundi
On the heels of Burundians voting for a new Constitution on 17 May, the country was now poised for a new important phase to settle differences, address pressing concerns, including sporadic violent incidents, and build a solid foundation for peace, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General told the Security Council today.
Leading those actions should be the authorities’ efforts to resume inter-Burundian talks to build confidence among parties, said Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General. If inclusive dialogue failed, the referendum results could be challenged and the situation would devolve, characterized by human rights violations and a deterioration of socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions.
However, the relatively calm security landscape, spotted by isolated incidents of violence, was conducive for the Government to continue its efforts, he continued. Yet, incidents such as a 11 May attack in Buganda were a stark reminder of a volatile environment. Initiatives to improve the humanitarian situation must also continue. Such conditions highlighted the relevance of continued dialogue led by the East African Community to address challenges Burundi had faced since 2015, he said, adding that the Council could renew its support to such efforts in the region.
Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission configuration on Burundi, offered recommendations for future action and reported on a recent visit, which included witnessing the impressive progress being made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Going forward, the international community should continue to follow developments intently and fully support the East African Community’s mediation efforts. To address socioeconomic challenges, he said he was planning to organize another round of discussions with partners and bilateral donors. Above all, the significant gains achieved through the Arusha Accord must not be undermined, he stressed.
Commending those achievements, Council members largely agreed that the Arusha Accord remained the blueprint for a peaceful future, with Equatorial Guinea’s representative applauding the referendum as a reflection of the population’s determination to move forward towards inclusive dialogue and stability.
The representative of Ethiopia said the most pressing issue now was how to avoid any descent into chaos and further violence. He urged the Government to recommit to the inter-Burundian dialogue, adding that the Security Council should explore new avenues for reengagement with Burundi. On that note, he said, the political impasse, coupled with shrinking international financial assistance, had put huge socioeconomic pressure on Burundi.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s delegate encouraged the Government to engage with the international aid community, including the United Nations, and Bolivia’s representative suggested lifting sanctions, as such measures caused much suffering among the population.
However, some members expressed concerns, with the representative of the United States explaining her fears about media restrictions, arbitrary arrests and voter intimidation ahead of the referendum. Echoing other speakers’ worries, Peru’s delegate said new amendments to Burundi’s Constitution could undermine important provisions protecting the rights of minorities. In addition, all parties must work to end human rights violations, reject hate speech and protect the country’s delicate political balance, he said.
France’s delegate said those currently in power were playing an increasingly central role in intimidating citizens and silencing voices of opposition. While regional dialogue efforts had so far not yielded results, they must continue, as should full respect for all human rights. The Government must allow opposition leaders, civil society and the media to play a role in Burundi’s inclusive dialogue process. Calling on all parties to return to the spirit of consensus that had prevailed in the Arusha Accord, he said regional leadership should accompany close monitoring by the Council.
Voicing another observation, the Russian Federation’s delegate said there was no reason for scaremongering, as had been heard in the Chamber several weeks ago. Doing so might mean that those in Burundi could receive the wrong message from the Security Council. For its part, the Council must only consider those issues that posed threats to international peace and security and not those that involved domestic affairs, he said, adding that the Council’s authority should not be undermined.
Following that discussion, the representative of Burundi welcomed the Council’s continued respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter in its attention to the situation in his country. However, he expressed concern that “some delegations remain imprisoned in their rhetoric of 2015” and had failed to keep up with developments on the ground, including that 15 public and private radio stations had covered the elections, which had unfolded peacefully, with the new Constitution fully respecting the Arusha Accord. It was time to “turn the page on 2015” and look forward to a peaceful future in which the country lived in harmony with its neighbours and partners around the world.
In that regard, he asked the Council to promptly withdraw Burundi from its agenda. No objective criteria existed for its continued consideration of the country’s situation, he said, emphasizing that it was not only safe and stable, but also contributed to the maintenance of international peace and security by providing its own troops to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Also delivering statements were representatives of the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Côte d’Ivoire, United Kingdom, China and Poland.
The meeting began at 10:26 a.m. and 12:08 p.m.