From Africa Recovery, Vol.12#2 (November 1998), Briefs page

UN Security Council urges easing of sanctions on Burundi

The UN Security Council in early November urged African leaders to consider lifting or suspending the economic sanctions on Burundi. The sanctions were imposed mainly by East and Central African countries days after Major Pierre Buyoya, a former military ruler of Burundi, took power on 25 July 1996.

Stressing that the sanctions were worsening conditions for the ordinary people and damaging the peace process, Mr. Buyoya's regime had called on the international community to press for the sanctions' removal.

The economic blockade aimed to restore constitutional order and force Mr. Buyoya into peace talks with the Hutu rebels. Mr. Buyoya did begin peace talks and has launched a "political partnership" with some Hutu representatives.

However, the military branch of the main rebel movement, the National Committee for the Defence of Democracy's Armed Forces (CNDD-FDD), announced its objection to any removal of the sanctions. According to the CNDD-FDD, several "essential conditions" for ending the sanctions have not been met, notably the release of thousands of political prisoners, the reinstatement of the March 1992 Constitution and the implementation of democratic procedures and institutions.

[Back to index] [To Volume12#2 -- full graphics]

Material from this article may be freely reproduced, with attribution to "Africa Recovery, United Nations".
We would appreciate a copy of the reproduction.

Africa Recovery
Room S-931
United Nations
New York, NY 10017 USA

Tel: (212) 963-6857
Fax: (212) 963-4556
Email: africa_recovery@un.org

Website: www.africarecovery.org
Contact us by email: africa_recovery@un.org