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Security Council backs temporary international security force in Burundi

Security Council backs temporary international security force in Burundi

UN Security Council in session
In another step forward for the peace process in Burundi, the Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution backing the creation of a temporary international security force in the country.

By a 15-0 vote, the Council endorsed the efforts of South Africa and other countries to support the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement, strongly backing the establishment of an interim multinational security presence in Burundi, at the request of its Government, to protect returning exiles and to train an all-Burundian protection force.

The Council also reaffirmed its strong support for setting up a transitional government in Burundi by 1 November and urged the international community to provide additional help, including by honouring the pledges made by donors during the Paris Conference of December 2000.

By its resolution, the Council called on the parties to the Arusha Agreement and the armed groups, namely the Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie (FDD) and Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL), to immediately stop all violent acts against civilians. It also called on the FDD and FNL to cease immediately all hostilities, enter into negotiations and join the peace process and asked all the countries of the region to support fully the process.

The Council expressed its willingness to consider, in the light of current progress, further contributions to the peace process and the implementation of the Arusha Agreement.