In the event the peace process collapses again, the international community will need to consider further measures, including freezing of the overseas assets and restricting travel for the governing elite. In June 1998, the term of the National Assembly expires. In July 1999, the three year transition period declared by Buyoya following the July 1996 coup, comes to an end. The international community should therefore be ready to support the establishment of a transition government tasked with overseeing and contributing to the process of internal dialogue and with taking part in the external, regional peace process. An internal dialogue between all the parties to Burundi's conflict is an essential component of the wider peace process.
Dialogue needs to be strengthened, broadened and deepened.
It should be underpinned by measures designed to build the confidence of all factions of society in the peace process. This will take time and require an imaginative approach. The negative effects of the economic blockade have come to outweigh any positive effects it may have had. Continuing further with the same policy risks hindering the process of internal dialogue, fuelling extremist elements in Burundi society and contributing to a dangerous destabilisation of the situation. Sub-committees should be created to focus on specific issues to be included in the negotiation process.