JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE CONVENTION CONCLUED BETWEEN THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (ACP-EC)

RESOLUTION () on the situation in Burundi

The ACP-EU Joint Assembly,

- meeting in Luxembourg from 23 to 26 September 1996,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Burundi,

- having regard to the Council statements on Burundi, in particular those of 26 July and 19 August 1996,

A. dismayed at the coup of 25 July 1996 against the civil authorities democratically elected in June 1993,

B. deeply concerned by the persistent instability in Burundi and the recent escalation of fighting that followed Major Buyoya's coup,

C. protesting at the coercion still being brought to bear on the President, Sylvestre Ntibantunganya,

D. profoundly shocked by the assassination of the Archbishop of Burundi, Mgr Ruhuna, during an ambush in Gitega on 9 September 1996 which also claimed two other victims,

E. deeply concerned at the departure from the country of the various intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations,

F. convinced that a general political settlement needs to be reached in Burundi, involving without exception all the political components of that country's society, including the rebels, in order to stop the escalation of violence, promote stability and re-establish democracy in the country,

G. whereas regional leaders imposed economic sanctions on Burundi following the coup, to force Major Buyoya to negotiate with the Hutu rebels in order to end an ethnic civil war that has claimed an estimated 150 000 lives in the last three years,

H. pointing out the responsibilities of neighbouring countries which continue to tolerate the reorganization of extremist gangs and the illegal trade in weapons,

1. Resolutely condemns the coup of 25 July 1996 by means of which Major Pierre Buyoya came to power and calls for the re-establishment of the rule of law and constitutional government in Burundi;

2. Appeals to all the parties concerned for an immediate cease-fire in order to create safe conditions throughout the country and facilitate political dialogue and to start direct discussions in association with the peacemaking efforts of Mr Julius Nyerere, in particular as regards institutional matters including the reform of the armed forces and security forces and the judicial system;

3. Calls on the relevant European institutions and the Member States not to recognize the authority of the new regime in Bujumbura, but to make efforts to achieve dialogue and to restore a climate of confidence and security;

4. Supports fully the peace efforts deployed by the regional leaders, the OAU, and Mr Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, and encourages them to continue their work;

5. Welcomes the pressure which the international community has already exerted on Mr Buyoya's regime and supports the embargo imposed by the neighbouring African countries on Burundi until constitutional legality has been re-established;

6. Stresses that this embargo should be extended to cover arms and munitions;

7. Condemns forcefully the assassination of the Archbishop of Burundi, Mgr Ruhuna, and of two other persons during the ambush of Gitega, and calls on the local authorities to bring to justice those responsible for these murders; recalls in this connection that none of the investigations into the murders of foreign humanitarian and religious personnel, in particular three ICRC delegates and three Italian missionaries, has yet to produce any results;

8. Insists that the UN Security Council must take action in order to respond to the request from its Secretary-General with regard to the creation of a prevention force in Burundi;

9. Welcomes the announcement made by some African countries concerning contributing troops to such a force;

10. Warns the governments of neighbouring countries that unless they cease all support - whether financial, logistical, military or political - for the Burundi extremists, their relations with the EU will be affected;

11. Demands that the individuals involved in the murder of President Ndadaye, according to the report published by the United Nations committee of inquiry, be brought to justice without delay;

12. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the government of Burundi and the other signatory states of the Lomé Convention and the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the OAU.