Bernard Allen
Ceist:79 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the political and security situation in Burundi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14495/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 19 May 2004
Ceisteanna (91)
Freagraí scríofa
There has been significant political progress in Burundi since the signing of the Arusha peace accords in August 2000 and the overall prospects for peace have probably not been as strong in a very long time. Peace agreements concluded between the Transitional National Government and the CNDD-FDD movement in November 2003 mean that there is now only one armed group, the Forces Nationals de Liberation, FNL, continuing to oppose the peace process. Efforts are continuing to urge the FNL to resume peace negotiations with the Government. These had begun in January but have since been suspended. There have been some indications recently that the FNL may be prepared to declare a unilateral ceasefire and the EU, in a declaration issued by the Presidency on 30 April, has welcomed these indications and has called on all sides to conclude a ceasefire and once again urged the FNL to abandon its military campaign and commit fully to the peace process.
While the CNDD-FDD announced their withdrawal from the Transitional National Government on 3 May, they have also made clear that they have no intention of withdrawing from the peace process or returning to violence and efforts are continuing to bring about an end to their withdrawal, through satisfying their demand for the full level of representation within the transition institutions accorded to them in the November 2003 peace agreement.
Ireland, as EU Presidency, has remained very closely engaged in the Burundian peace process and has had a series of contacts with the Burundian Government since the murder of Archbishop Michael Courtney last December, including when I met with President Ndayizeye and Foreign Minister Sinunguruza on 8 April 2004 during my visit to Burundi.
During my talks with the President and the Foreign Minister, I reiterated the EU's full support for the current peace efforts and willingness to extend whatever assistance we can to further the peace process in Burundi. I also urged progress in implementing all the provisions of the Arusha peace accords, including those relating to tackling impunity and safeguarding human rights, and also raised ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court by Burundi as a step which would offer assurance of justice to all those who have suffered human rights abuses during the latter years of the conflict in Burundi. President Ndayizeye indicated, in response, that his government is now considering steps to ratify the statute of the International Criminal Court.
The efforts to ensure satisfactory completion of the transition process in Burundi will be greatly strengthened by the planned deployment of a UN peace-keeping mission in Burundi to oversee the remaining period of the transition up until the holding of scheduled national elections at the end of October. Consultations are continuing within the UN Security Council on the mandate for the mission, to be known as ONUB, and which will contain a significant human rights component. It is hoped that a decision formally establishing the mission will be taken shortly.
Question No. 80 answered with QuestionNo. 64.