Recommendations on Burundi by AU Peace & Security Council to AU Heads State at the 31st AU Summit in Mauritania

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53. Since the 30th African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa, on 29 and 30 January 2018, the political situation in Burundi has continued to be a source of concern for the African Union, which pursued its efforts, in cooperation with the East African Community to support the Burundian parties in overcoming obstacles and resume the Dialogue after the impasse in Arusha in December 2017. Meeting in Kampala on 23 February 2018, on the occasion of their 19th Summit, the Heads of State and Government of the East African Community decided to continue their efforts to revive the Dialogue process. In response to this appeal, the Facilitator, former President Benjamin MKAPA, decided to convene the 5th round of negotiations in Entebbe from 24 to 28 April 2018. However, the Government of Burundi, in full preparation of the Constitutional Referendum, announced that it would not be available on the date indicated, which led the Facilitator to suspend his initiative.

54. At the security level, it should be recalled that the situation remained stable overall, even if the opposition continuously reported harassment, arbitrary arrests and threats to its supporters and to anyone who would advocate abstention or NO in the referendum. The campaign was actually opened on 1 May and ended on 14 May and the referendum was held on 17 May 2018. In general, the campaign went on without major incidents, except for the attack by a non a group, still not identified, during the night of 11 to 12 May at RUHAGARIKA Hill, in the BUGANDA Commune, Province of CIBITOKE, which left 26 dead and 7 wounded, according to the official record. During this period, the Government continued to release political prisoners, announced last year by the Head of State: thus, on 16 March, 740 prisoners, including 450 "demonstrators" of the events of 2015, regained their freedom. For its part, the opposition denounced the locking up of the official media, harassment, arbitrary arrests and threats. Two (2) foreign media, the BBC and the Voice of America (VOA), were suspended for six (6) months for lack of professionalism. Furthermore, the MoU relating to the deployment of Military Experts and Human rights Observers has not yet been signed.

55. After the announcement of the result of the Referendum, President NKURUNZIZA announced that he would not stand for Presidential election in 2020 and would support the next President.

56. With regard to the humanitarian and socio-economic situation, it should be noted that, at the beginning of April 2018, 1,600 Burundian refugees who had left a camp in the DRC for Rwanda were returned to their country of origin. It should be noted that Burundi, Tanzania and UNHCR have signed an Agreement to pursue the voluntary return of refugees to Burundi. The general socio-economic situation of the country remained fragile, within the framework of the sanctions imposed by the European Union

against the Burundian authorities.

57. The Assembly may take note of the Statement of President Pierre Nkurunziza not to stand for the Presidential elections in 2020 and call upon the Government and all political actors to work together to promote an inclusive and consensual dialogue. The Assembly may request the Commission to support Burundi during this phase and contribute, with the East African Community and its Facilitator, H.E Mr. Benjamin Mkapa, to the success of the inclusive dialogue and the strengthening of democracy and observance of human rights in Burundi. The Assembly may also congratulate H.E Mr. Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Mediator of the East African Community for the Inter-Burundian Dialogue. The Assembly may wish to commend the signing of Agreement between Burundi, Tanzania and the UNHCR regarding the return of the Burundian refugees. The Assembly may also call for lifting the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Burundi in order to alleviate the socio-economic plight in the country.