Security Council voices support for incoming Burundi Government

The Security Council today voiced strong support for the 1 November installation of the transitional government in Burundi, saying that the creation of a broad-based, inclusive administration would mark a "critical turning point" in the country's peace process.

"The installation of a broad-based government on the basis of an internationally sanctioned peace process makes armed rebellion an unacceptable means of political expression," the Council said in its statement, read out by its President, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France. He called on the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) and the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), together with the Burundi Government, to strictly observe the rights of the civilian population and other provisions of international humanitarian law.

The Council also called on all countries, particularly those in the region, to stop all forms of support to the FLN and the FDD, and urged all Member States to encourage the armed groups to join the peace process. Additionally, the Council asked for the States of the Regional Initiative to mark the installation of the transitional government by further enhancing their bilateral and regional cooperation with the new government.

In its statement, the Council appealed to the Burundian parties to quickly reach agreement on the establishment of a special protection unit entrusted solely with the police function of providing personal security for politicians returning from exile. It welcomed the convening of a pre-implementation stakeholders meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, and urged the international community to provide urgently support for the training and deployment of that special protection unit.

The Council also called on donors to increase humanitarian assistance to Burundi and to accelerate its delivery.