United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President Liu Jieyi has disregarded attempts to mention International Criminal Court (ICC) proposal to intervene in Burundi as an avenue to restoring peace saying “it doesn’t add any value.”
This happened yesterday Wednesday during a UNSC sitting in New York, USA as Mr Lui read a statement on the outcomes of the adopted document of July 26 briefing on Burundi.
According to Burundi representative at the UN, Ambassador Albert Shingiro, the Council came up with its position after “hard negotiations”
UNSC also snubbed calls to mention Imbonerakure youth as a signal to advocate for non-violence to all stakeholders in the fight to re-establish a peaceful environment in Burundi.
A couple of Western powers have championed in exerting pressure on UN to impose sanctions on Burindu accusing President Pierre Nkuruzinza’s government accusing it of orchestrating violence in the country.
But President Liu responded in his statement warning these power to desist from making sentiments that could ignite violence and hatred among the Burundians but rather espouse platforms that can bring peace in Africa’s developing country.
“The Security Council strongly condemns all public statements, coming from in or outside the country, that incite violence or hatred towards different groups in Burundian society, including calls for forced impregnation of women and girls.
It welcomes the condemnation of such statements by CNDD FDD officials and calls on the Government of Burundi to ensure that those responsible for such acts are held accountable. It strongly urges the Government of Burundi and all parties to cease and reject any kind of violence and condemn any public statement inciting violence or hatred, and demands that all sides in Burundi refrain from any action that would threaten peace and stability in the country and may affect regional stability in the long run, or undermine the East African Community-led, African Union-endorsed inter-Burundian dialogue. It reiterates its intention to pursue targeted measures against all actors, inside and outside Burundi, who threaten the peace and security of Burundi,” part of the statement reads.
Further the Security Council acknowledges the contribution of Burundians peacekeepers serving in UN and African Union-led peacekeeping operations and reiterates the importance of upholding the standards of the United Nations.
UNSC however, reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi.
“The Security Council notes its expectation that elections scheduled for 2020 in Burundi will be free, fair, transparent, peaceful, fully inclusive, with the participation of all political parties, and will ensure the full and equal participation of women throughout the process,” the statement from President Liu reads.
The UN Secretary General was tasked to report to the Security Council the situation on Burundi every after three months, “to be reviewed after one year, including on any public incidents of incitements to hatred and violence, and changes to the situation on the ground, and further requests the Secretary-General to provide written reports immediately to the Security Council, as necessary, on grave security incidents, violations of international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights, as applicable, of which the United Nations in Burundi has knowledge, whoever perpetrates them.”
To read full statement on this website follow this link;
Statement by the President of the Security Council on the situation in Burundi
