Security Council resolution 2279 (2016) [on the situation in Burundi]
Symbol: S/RES/2279 (2016)
Date: 2016-04-01
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/71 [99] BURUNDI SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Burundi.
Subjects: INTERNAL SECURITY|POLITICAL CONDITIONS|HUMAN RIGHTS|BURUNDI
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                    S/RES/2279 (2016)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               1 April 2016




               Resolution 2279 (2016)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7664th meeting, on
               1 April 2016

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its resolutions as well as the statements of its President on Burundi,
               in particular its resolution 2248 (2015) and the statements of 18 February 2015
               (2015/6), of 26 June 2015 (2015/13), of 28 October 2015 (2015/18), and its press
               statement of 19 December 2015,
                    Reiterating its deep concern about the persistence of violence in Burundi, as
               well as the persisting political impasse in the country and the attendant serious
               humanitarian consequences,
                    Stressing that the situation prevailing in Burundi has the potential to seriously
               undermine the significant gains achieved through the Arusha Peace and
               Reconciliation Agreement of 28 August 2000, with devastating consequences for
               Burundi and the region as a whole,
                     Stressing the primary responsibility of the Government of Burundi for
               ensuring security in its territory and protecting its population with respect for the
               rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law, as applicable,
                      Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political indepen dence,
               territorial integrity and unity of Burundi,
                    Strongly condemning all violations and abuses of human rights in Burundi,
               whoever perpetrates them, including those involving extra -judicial killings, sexual
               violence in the context of the political crisis, acts of torture and other cruel,
               inhuman and/or degrading treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, harassment
               and intimidation of civil society organizations and journalists, and restriction of
               fundamental freedoms, as well as indiscriminate use of grenade attacks, especially
               against civilians,
                     Noting reports of a decrease of killings while expressing concern over reports
               of increased disappearances and acts of torture,
                    Underscoring its deep concern for the continued worsening of the
               humanitarian situation, marked by more than 250 000 Burundians seeking refuge in
               neighbouring countries, and commending the host countries for their efforts,



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                    Strongly condemning all public statements, coming from in or outside of the
               country, that incite violence or hatred towards different groups in Burundian society,
                     Noting that a number of bilateral and multilateral partners have suspended
               their financial and technical assistance to the Government of Burundi, considering
               the situation in Burundi and encouraging bilateral and multilateral partners and the
               Government of Burundi to continue their dialogue with a view to creating conducive
               conditions for the resumption of the assistance,
                     Recalling that Burundi is a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International
               Criminal Court, and has obligations to fight impunity for crimes falling within the
               jurisdiction of the Court, and emphasizing that the International Criminal Court is
               complementary to national criminal jurisdictions,
                    Noting with satisfaction the cooperation and access to some political prisoners
               provided by the Burundian authorities to the independent experts of the Office of
               the High-Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on the ground,
                    Stressing the utmost importance of respecting the letter and the spiri t of the
               Arusha Agreement which has helped to sustain a decade of peace in Burundi,
                     Stressing the urgency of convening a genuine and inclusive inter -Burundian
               dialogue, based on the respect of the Constitution and the Arusha Agreement, in
               coordination with the Government of Burundi and all stakeholders committed to a
               peaceful solution, both who are in Burundi and those outside the country, in order to
               find a consensual and nationally owned solution to the current crisis,
                     Welcoming the letter dated 24 January 2016 from the President of the Republic
               of Burundi (S/2016/76) expressing his Government’s intention to cooperate closely
               with the United Nations team under the responsibility of the Special Adviser for
               Conflict Prevention, including in Burundi, on determining appropriate support for
               an inclusive dialogue process and in the areas of disarmament, security and human
               rights,
                     Commending the Secretary-General’s visit to Burundi on 22 and 23 February
               2016, and taking note of the commitments made by the Government of Burundi on
               this occasion,
                    Reiterating its support to the mediation efforts led by President Yoweri
               Museveni of Uganda on behalf of the East African Community (EAC) and as
               endorsed by the African Union (AU), commending the decision made by the EAC at
               the 17th Summit of the EAC Heads of State of 2 March 2016 to appoint a team
               under Mr Benjamin William Mkapa, former president of the United Republic of
               Tanzania, to facilitate the mediation,
                     Welcoming the visit to Burundi, on 25 and 26 February 2016, by the African
               Union (AU) High-level Delegation, and noting with satisfaction the readiness of the
               members of this Delegation to pursue their efforts, in support of the mediation
               efforts led by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, on behalf of the EAC,
                    Recalling the importance of close coordination between the region and
               relevant international facilitators,
                    1.    Urges the Government of Burundi and all parties to reject any kind of
               violence and condemn any public statement inciting violence or hatred and demands




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           that all sides in Burundi refrain from any action that would threaten peace and
           stability in the country;
                 2.   Urges the Government of Burundi to respect, protect and guarantee
           human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in line with the country’s
           international obligations, to adhere to the rule of law, to bring to justice and hold
           accountable all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or
           violations and abuses of human rights, as applicable, including sexual violence and
           violations against children;
                3.   Takes note of the visit to Burundi from 1 to 8 March 2016 of the experts’
           mission requested by the Human Rights Council in its resolution of 17 December
           2015, and urges the Government of Burundi to continue to cooperate with the Office
           of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the fulfilment of the mission’s
           mandate;
                 4.   Welcomes the steps made by the Government of Burundi to withdraw
           some media bans, cancel some arrest warrants and release a significant number of
           detainees, and urges the Government of Burundi to urgently fulfil the remaining
           commitments announced by the Government of Burundi on 23 February 2016 and to
           extend such measures to other media outlets and political detainees;
                5.    Urges the Government of Burundi and all stakeholders committed to a
           peaceful solution, both those who are in Burundi and those outside the country, to
           extend full cooperation to the EAC-led, AU-endorsed Mediator and his Facilitator in
           order to urgently agree on a timetable and on a list of participants of an inclusive
           and genuine inter-Burundian dialogue and highlights the importance of the decision
           by the AU Peace and Security Council to hold such dialogue outside Burundi, in a
           venue to be determined by the Mediation;
                 6.    Welcomes the consent of the Burundian authorities to increase to two
           hundred (200) the number of human rights observers (100) and military experts
           (100) of the AU, calls for their full and speedy deployment in Burundi, notes that
           30 human rights observers and 15 military observers have been deployed so far, and
           urges the Government of Burundi and other concerned stakeholders to provi de them
           with full cooperation in order to facilitate the implementation of their mandate;
                 7.    Requests the Secretary-General, through the good offices of his Special
           Adviser for conflict prevention, including in Burundi, Mr Jamal Benomar, to
           support the inter-Burundian dialogue as referred to in paragraph 5 above, and in this
           regard, to coordinate and work with the EAC-led, AU-endorsed Mediator and his
           Facilitator, as well as with the high-level delegation from the AU, and to provide
           technical and substantive support to the Mediation;
                8.    Calls on States in the region to contribute to a solution to the crisis in
           Burundi, and to refrain from supporting the activities of armed movements in any
           way, and recalls in this regard commitments of the States in the region under the
           Framework Agreement on the Peace, Security and Cooperation for the DRC and the
           region and the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees;
                 9.   Expresses its intention to consider measures against all actors, inside and
           outside Burundi, whose actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of
           violence and impede the search for a peaceful solution;




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                     10. Requests the Secretary-General to enhance the United Nations
               engagement in Burundi through strengthening the team of the Special A dviser for
               conflict prevention, including in Burundi, in order to work with the Government of
               Burundi and other concerned stakeholders to support the inter -Burundian dialogue,
               as referred to in paragraph 5 above, and in the areas of security and rule of la w, and,
               in this regard, further requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the
               Government of Burundi and in coordination with the AU, to present, as soon as
               possible and no later than 15 days from the date of adoption of this resolution,
               options for the deployment of a United Nations police contribution to increase the
               United Nations capacity to monitor the security situation, promote the respect of
               human rights and advance rule of law, in compliance with the United Nations
               Human Rights Due Diligence Policy;
                    11. Reaffirms the importance of United Nations and AU contingency
               planning, consistent with its resolution 2248 (2015), to enable the international
               community to respond to any further deterioration of the situation;
                     12. Requests the Secretary-general to report to the Security Council regularly
               after the adoption of this resolution on the situation in Burundi;
                    13.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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