Brussels, 14/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 March, the European Union carried out the threat it had brandished of partially suspending its cooperation with Burundi due to a lack of sufficient commitment from the Burundian authorities for a sustainable solution to the crisis resulting from the contested re-election of Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza had run for a third term in office (see EUROPE 11510).
Judging the commitments taken by the Burundian government to be insufficient for remedying the situation through establishing an inclusive inter-Burundian political dialogue under international mediation, the EU decided, under the Cotonou Agreement (Article 96), to suspend all financial assistance to the government of Burundi, particularly direct budget support. The EU's financial support to the people of Burundi, and its humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable groups of the population will, however, be maintained.
The decision was taken, without debate, by the Council of the EU on the sidelines of the meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels. It will be reviewed every six months.
At the same time, the Council has closed the political consultation started in Brussels with the authorities of Burundi on 8 December 2015 in order to try and find an acceptable solution for how to exit the crisis. This is provided for in the Cotonou Agreement when one or several of its key elements are violated, such as the respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.
“The situation in Burundi remains of serious concern for the EU, though we have recently seen some glimpses of hope (…) The action we are seeking is achievable with will and determination: it builds on measures and processes already set in motion by the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations, and is welcomed by the five African heads of state mandated by the African Union”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in a press release.
The EU calls on the Burundian authorities to make this effort urgently, which will enable the normalisation of relations between the EU and Burundi.
European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica gives assurances that “the EU is, and will remain, firmly committed to supporting the Burundian people in this crisis, which has already cost more than 400 lives, left thousands injured and forced over 240,000 people to take refuge in neighbouring countries”. EU-funded projects which aim to ensure access to basic services for the population are being prepared, Mimica states. The restrictions to cooperation are added to the targeted sanctions (visa restrictions and assets freezes) that the EU had already imposed on four individuals in October 2015 (see EUROPE 11401). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)