Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, 4 Dec. 2020, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Cooperation Between the United Nations and Regional and Subregional Organizations in Maintaining International Peace and Security"]

S/PRST/2020/12View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 99 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, published in 2020.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Burundi Burundi Situation Peacebuilding Political Conditions

What’s in this document?

7 paragraphs

On 4 December 2020, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”, in accordance with the procedure agreed in light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and set out in S/2020/372, the President of the Security Council issued the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council takes note of the improved security situation in Burundi and of the six principal priorities presented by President Ndayishimiye for his Government in his inauguration speech on 18 June 2020 following the broadly peaceful elections which marked a new phase for Burundi. It welcomes the steps taken to fight impunity as well as the progress made in some aspects of gender equality and women’s empowerment and encourages the Government of Burundi to further strengthen its efforts in these areas.

“The Security Council recognizes the gains made thus far and stresses that there is important work ahead to advance national reconciliation, promotion of the rule of law and of an independent and effective judiciary, preservation of democratic space and respect of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, including for members of the press and civil society actors, peacebuilding, social cohesion and development. The Security Council notes continued concern regarding human rights violations and abuses and calls on the Government of Burundi to ensure an end to such violations and abuses and hold perpetrators accountable. The Security Council calls on the Government of Burundi to cooperate with the United Nations to tackle these challenges.

“The Security Council takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the Strategic Assessment Mission for UN engagement in Burundi with respect to its relevant recommendations and encourages the discussions between the Secretary-General and the Government of Burundi to allow sufficient time for a smooth transition of the Office of the Special Envoy.

“The Security Council encourages bilateral and multilateral partners and the Government of Burundi to continue their dialogue with a view to the Government of Burundi creating conducive conditions for resumption of financial and technical assistance. The Security Council further encourages continued engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission as a viable platform for dialogue between Burundi and its partners and encourages Burundi to maximise these opportunities for resource mobilization and in support of the National Development Plan. The Security Council underscores the importance of continued support to Burundi as it embarks on the next stage of its development and welcomes the willingness of the United Nations, alongside the AU, the region and the international community to continue its engagement with the country, in an effort to support Burundi in achieving sustainable peace, reconciliation and development.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi. It welcomes the commitment by President Ndayishimiye to strengthen relations with African countries, regional organisations, such as the AU and the EAC, and international organisations. The Security Council calls upon the United Nations, the AU, the EAC, ICGLR and the Guarantors of the Arusha agreement to coordinate their efforts in assisting Burundian stakeholders in the implementation of the Arusha Agreement, which has helped to sustain a decade of peace in Burundi.

“Recalling its intention to review its request to the Secretary-General to report on the situation in Burundi every three months, as expressed in presidential statement S/2017/13, and noting that the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Burundi completed his assignment on 30 November 2019, the Security Council requests the Secretary-General to cease his periodic reporting on the situation in Burundi and looks forward to the Secretary-General covering Burundi as part of his regular reporting on the Great Lakes region and Central Africa.”

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