Brussels, 22/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - In the light of the political impasse and the deteriorating security and economic conditions in Burundi, and very concerned about how this crisis is impacting on civilians and the region as a whole, on Monday 22 June, the EU welcomed the moves by the African Union (AU) and the East African Community (EAC) to find a solution to the problem (see EUROPE 113337). The EU is threatening to introduce targeted sanctions against past or future leaders of Burundi in the event of serious violation of human rights, obstacles to political dialogue or restrictions on EU-Burundi cooperation.
A conclusions document adopted without debate on the fringes of a meeting of EU foreign ministers repeats the EU's call for the conditions identified by the AU and EAC to be fully met as they are crucial for the credibility and proper functioning of the election process. The EU urges the Burundi government to admit that the current conditions are not suitable for the holding of elections at present, as the AU and EAC have clearly stated. Greatly concerned about the number of victims and the cases of serious violations of human rights since the start of the crisis, particularly the alleged abuses carried out by the security forces and members of Imbonerakure, it calls for an end to this violence and urges the government to put the culprits on trial.
The Council of Ministers warns that otherwise, the EU is determined to introduce targeted restrictions against people whose action reportedly lead or could lead to acts of violence or repression, serious violations of human rights and/or obstacles to the search for a peaceful solution in the framework proposed by the AU and EAC. It announces that the EU is prepared to hold political talks with the Burundi authorities under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement (consultations that could lead to the partial or total suspension of cooperation if a solution is not found to the recorded violations of crucial aspects of the Cotonou Agreement, such as respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law). (Aminata Niang).