Describing the situation in Burundi as calm but fragile, the senior United Nations official there told the Security Council today that after supporting a regionally-led inter-Burundian Dialogue process for more than three years, the time has now come for partners to re-evaluate how best to help the country out of its long-standing political impasse.

Briefing the 15-member Council on recent political, security and humanitarian developments, Michel Kafando, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Burundi, noted that the Government of Burundi and the main political parties have opted not to attend the fifth session of the inter-Burundian Dialogue ‑ led by the East African Community (EAC) and facilitated by former President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania. He said those discussions have not yet led to a political agreement among the parties, especially in relation to the critical elections planned for 2020.

While the security situation remained calm during the reporting period, he expressed concern that the Government has still not resumed its cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and that reports of human rights violations and hate-speech incidents against opposition figures continue. Meanwhile, food insecurity threatens approximately 1.7 million people and some 380,000 Burundians remain displaced outside the country. Overall, he said, the situation remains fragile and it is now time for the United Nations, the African Union and other partners to re-evaluate the best way to help Burundi out of the crisis.

Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Burundi configuration, described his visit there in early November, agreeing that the overall situation remains calm. Leaders of the ruling party confirmed the intention of President Pierre Nkurunziza not to seek re-election in 2020, which many said eased tensions. He said that the Foreign Minister informed him that preparations for the 2020 elections have already begun and that a roadmap for their conduct has been agreed. However, not all parties subscribe to the plan and have expressed concern that the elections will not be inclusive, he cautioned. Many interlocutors also voiced regret over the Government’s absence from the final round of EAC-led talks.

Council members echoed those concerns, some urging the Government to reconsider its view that the inter-Burundian Dialogue has become obsolete. Several speakers expressed hope that those issues will be addressed at the upcoming EAC summit and urged regional partners to help accelerate reconciliation. Others sounded the alarm about continuing reports of human rights violations as well as Burundi’s recent suspension of international non-governmental organizations, which they described as crucial to supporting the most vulnerable people. Moreover, delegates voiced a range of opinions as to whether the situation in Burundi still merits a place on the Council’s agenda.

The representative of the Netherlands, describing the latest round of the inter-Burundian Dialogue as disappointing, said there is still no clear roadmap for the 2020 elections. While the overall security situation has improved, a climate of repression prevails, characterized by reports of torture and arbitrary arrest, many allegedly committed by Government forces or those associated with them. While pointing to some encouraging political trends, she nevertheless stressed that sufficient progress has not yet been made on many critical issues, adding: “The Council must not stop its consideration of this matter.”

Côte d’Ivoire’s delegate, praising the EAC-led talks, emphasized that dialogue must continue in order to ensure the restoration of lasting stability. In that vein, he encouraged the elaboration of a consensus document on the way forward, while urging the Government to shed light on allegations of human rights violations. The Council should maintain its support for the EAC’s efforts to engender dialogue towards peaceful elections in 2020, he added.

China’s representative was among the speakers who spotlighted the important progress made in strengthening Burundi’s social cohesion, supporting the return of refugees and preparing for the upcoming elections. Indeed, the Burundian people have demonstrated their full capacity to handle their own affairs, and the international community must fully respect their choices, in accordance with the Charter principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, he emphasized. “The Security Council should heed the voice of Burundi” and make appropriate adjustments to its work, he added.

Burundi’s representative said it is unfortunate that some delegations still do not acknowledge the progress his country has made, adding that there is a gaping divide between the Secretary-General’s latest report and the actual situation on the ground. Since the beginning of 2018, the Government has made efforts to restore peace, social cohesion and tolerance, including by announcing that the Head of Government will not run again in 2020, and by releasing more than 2,000 prisoners, including insurgents associated with of the 2015 coup attempt. “The 2015 crisis is over,” he declared, adding: “Some partners are hesitant to accept it, but it is a reality.” Calling upon the Council to have the courage to remove Burundi from its agenda, he stressed that it is clear the country does not present a threat to international peace and security.

Also speaking were representatives of France, Russian Federation, Poland, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Peru, Kuwait, United Kingdom, United States and Sweden.

The meeting began at 3:02 p.m. and ended at 5:05 p.m.

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