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Burundi

Seventh report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Burundi (S/2006/429)

Attachments

I. Introduction

1. By resolution 1650 (2005) of 21 December 2005, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) until 1 July 2006. In the same resolution, the Council requested me to continue consultations with the Government of Burundi to determine the modalities for implementing a gradual disengagement of the United Nations peacekeeping presence and an adjustment to the mandate. In my March 2006 report (S/2006/163), I outlined recommendations for the completion of ONUB's mandate by 31 December and provided a drawdown proposal for the mission's military and civilian components. I also indicated the need to continue assessing the situation as well as collaborative planning with the Government regarding the future United Nations presence in Burundi. The present report describes the results of those consultations and an update on progress in the peace consolidation process.

II. Political developments

2. During the reporting period, the Government continued the implementation of governance reforms and institution-building. The Parliament worked towards the adoption of new legislation related to good governance and democratic reform, and took further measures towards combating corruption. Despite the emergence of internal differences within the two largest parties, Conseil national pour la défense de la démocracie-Forces pour la défense de la démocracie (CNDD-FDD) and Front pour la démocracie au Burundi (FRODEBU), general political stability was maintained and overall consensus was sustained within the Government regarding its priorities.

3. On 17 March, President Pierre Nkurunziza appointed new Ministers to the Good Governance as well as the Interior and Public Security portfolios. Subsequently, 17 ambassadorial appointments were announced, along with the appointment of senior magistrates and judicial officials.

4. The Parliament continued its second session and adopted several important bills, including legislation establishing the framework for the creation of the National Commission on Land and Property. The National Assembly also adopted two laws on the privatization of public enterprises and community public services. The Commission on Political Prisoners completed its work with the issuance of a third decree releasing 1,846 prisoners and bringing the total to 4,330 since January.

5. On 24 March, FRODEBU President Léonce Ngendakumana issued a declaration stating his party's intention to withdraw from the Government on the grounds that it had failed to adequately consult with his party. Following the declaration, the three FRODEBU Ministers publicly stated that they had not been consulted on the withdrawal decision and would therefore remain in the Government. Subsequently, 14 of the 30 FRODEBU Members of Parliament called upon Mr. Ngendakumana to consult members before such decisions are taken.

6. Tension also emerged within CNDD-FDD. During a press conference on 10 April, CNDD-FDD Member of Parliament Mathias Basabose resigned from a post within the party after being accused of corruption and disagreements with the party's president, Hussein Rajabu. Mr. Basabose was subsequently expelled from CNDD-FDD and lost his parliamentary immunity. Following the growing tension within CNDD-FDD, FRODEBU, Unité pour le progrès national (UPRONA) and CNDD issued statements alleging government corruption and requesting the establishment of a commission of inquiry.

7. On 15 April, during a second press conference by Mr. Basabose, the Burundi National Police and Service National de Renseignements elements surrounded his residence. After being confined for several hours, journalists were instructed to hand over their records of the press conference to the security services before being permitted to leave the premises. Following criticism from several political parties and civil society and public statements in defence of freedom of the press issued by international stakeholders, including ONUB, the Minister of Communications, Karenga Ramadhan, announced the Government's condemnation of the incident. Presidential Spokesperson Hafsa Mossi also declared that the President had not instructed Burundi National Police to carry out the operation. On 19 May, further divergences within CNDD-FDD emerged when the Second Vice-President was reportedly requested to return to Bujumbura during the course of a visit to the United States and Belgium.

8. In the meantime, CNDD-FDD held an extraordinary party congress on 3 June. Statements reportedly made during the Congress criticizing opposition political parties, the national media, and civil society sparked further public debate. Seven political parties subsequently issued a joint communiqué condemning the statements allegedly made by CNDD-FDD members.

9. The main political parties released a number of additional declarations and media statements during the reporting period, criticizing the Government regarding the human rights and security situation and delays in negotiations with FNL, and calling for additional measures to stem corruption.

Burundi Partners' Forum

10. ONUB continued to chair the bi-monthly meetings of the 19-member Burundi Partners' Forum. The meetings included thematic discussions on FNL, security sector reform, human rights and transitional justice.

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