Brussels, 11/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 March, the Council of the EU will decide to restrict its cooperation with Burundi due to a lack of sufficient commitment from the Burundian authorities to exit their country from its deadlock since Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza courted a third mandate, contested by the opposition.
The EU will therefore carry out the threat it brandished on 15 February should no positive signal be given for an inclusive inter-Burundian dialogue under international mediation (see EUROPE 11490).
The decision to put an end to the political consultations that took place on 9 December 2015, with a view to remedying the situation criticised by the EU (violation of democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights) will be taken by the Council of the EU, without debate, on the sidelines of the European foreign affairs meetings to be chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
The political consultations between the EU, the Burundian authorities and representatives from the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) group of states were conducted under the Cotonou Agreement - Article 96 of which provides for the EU to impose restrictive measures on cooperation if such consultations fail. Article 96 also provides for the suspension of cooperation, as a last resort.
The restrictions proposed by the European Commission and which the Council will approve, concern, at this stage, the direct budget support to the government, whilst aid to the people of Burundi will reportedly continue. The Council will state what progress it expects for full cooperation to be resumed. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)