Brussels, 08/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 5 June, the European Union launched a new appeal to all the different political actors in Burundi “to acknowledge the full extent of the danger facing the country” and resume dialogue in an effort to find a way out of the crisis. On Friday evening 5 June, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) explained: “The political impasse in Burundi, as well as the worsening economic situation, present serious risks to the people of Burundi. Inclusive and transparent dialogue is the only way of finding a way out of the current crisis”.
The EU is subsequently calling on all the different parties to work with Said Djinnit, the special envoy of the UN Secretary General, which it is “fully supporting in its role of facilitator”. The recent announcement by the Burundi authorities of postponing the country's elections, in compliance with the recommendations from the East Africa Community heads of state during the Dar es Salaam Summit, is a good thing because the EU said it supported this appeal which would provide the time to “put in place the conditions needed for peaceful, inclusive and valid elections”.
The spokesperson emphasised that the most important thing is for the “violence to cease and for a climate of trust to develop”. It should be pointed out that the EU recently suspended its electoral observation mission to the country because it considered that the conditions were not in place for effective democratic general and presidential elections (see EUROPE 11324).
The political crisis in Burundi broke out in April, following the decision by President Nkurunziza to seek a third mandate, which went against the constitution. The announcement of this decision led to a coup d'état on 13 May. This coup d'état was effectively put down but it provoked street demonstrations and acts of violence, which led to an increasing deterioration in the country's security. (Aminata Niang)