BAN PROPOSES EXTENDING UN MISSION IN BURUNDI DESPITE GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST TO END IT

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 28 Jan 2014 18:00:01 -0500
Subject: BAN PROPOSES EXTENDING UN MISSION IN BURUNDI DESPITE
GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST TO END IT
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

BAN PROPOSES EXTENDING UN MISSION IN BURUNDI DESPITE GOVERNMENT'S
REQUEST TO END ITNew York, Jan 28 2014 6:00PMDespite Burundi's
request that the United Nations mission helping it recover from
decades of ethnic war end by mid-2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
is recommending its renewal for another full year as the country moves
towards crucial elections amid political violence and intra-party
tensions.

"Our best efforts to consolidate peace in Burundi, as advanced as they
are, remain incomplete,"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Parfait
Onanga-Anyanga told the Security Council today in presenting the
latest report on the small Central African country, where hundreds of
thousands of people have perished in largely inter-ethnic fighting
between Hutus and Tutsis that erupted even before it gained
independence from Belgium in 1962.

Noting the fragility of essential peacebuilding indicators, he told
the Council that political actors meeting from 27 to 29 November to
assess the road map adopted last March had recognized the need to
tackle such challenges as the "climate of distrust" among key
political stakeholders, the absence of an agreed process to review the
constitution and persistent violence among young people affiliated
with certain parties. For such reasons, the Secretary-General had
called for sustained political support.

Burundi is often cited as a success story in UN efforts to consolidate
peace in countries that have been ravaged by conflict and was the
first country, along with Sierra Leone, to be put on the agenda of the
UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) when it was set up in 2006, to
prevent post-conflict nations from relapsing into bloodshed.

In his report recommending a full year's extension of the UN Office in
Burundi (BNUB), Mr. Ban noted Burundi's "substantial progress,
overcoming formidable challenges since the end of the civil war," but
warned that such gains are far from irreversible as the country
prepares for presidential elections in 2015 - "a litmus test" for
long-term stability.

"Now, more than ever, the Government of Burundi must demonstrate
visionary leadership by continuing to promote the spirit of dialogue
and consensus enshrined in the [2000] Arusha [peace] accords, which
has helped Burundians to address the structural causes of conflict in
their country," he said. "Given Burundi's history and social make-up,
majority rule and a winner-takes-all mentality could erase such
hard-won gains."

He noted that a UN strategic assessment conducted from September to
December found that the political scene remains deeply polarized, with
the Government using its dominance in Parliament to enact laws
infringing on political and civil rights, contributing to a shrinking
of political space, while the opposition threatens to take steps to
confront the Government.

Mr. Ban stressed that President Pierre Nkurunziza's request that
BINUB, headed by Mr. Onanga-Anyanga, be drawn down within six months
as of 15 February, so that Burundi can take fuller ownership of its
political process, "poses a difficult dilemma, given the continuing
need for a United Nations political presence whose functions cannot be
entirely covered by the United Nations country team."

The Government has suggested the country team, a collection of UN
agencies concerned principally with development and humanitarian
issues, take over BINUB's role, which is political. If the Government
persists in its position that a 12-month extension is not acceptable,
Mr. Ban suggested the Council consider two other options.

A new peacebuilding mission with a more focused mandate could replace
BINUB as an interim step to preparing the ground for a transition of
functions to the UN country team, or "as a last resort" a special
envoy could be appointed to facilitate dialogue and broad-based
participation in political life and coordinate efforts to ensure an
environment conducive to a free and fair poll.

BINUB was set up in 2006 following a ceasefire between the Government
and the last remaining rebel force to support peace consolidation,
democratic governance, disarmament and reform of the security sector.
It replaced the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB), a peacekeeping mission
which at its peak had nearly 6,000 military personnel.

Noted increasing tensions and intra-party disputes, Mr. Ban urged all
political actors to refrain from using incendiary language and voiced
concern at acts of violence committed by youth affiliated with
political parties and the apparent impunity they seem to enjoy.

"Acts of political violence, including those committed by these
youths, must be prosecuted," he stressed. "I urge the Government and
political parties to take all necessary measures to ensure that youth
are not exposed to political manipulation that could lead to acts of
violence and intimidation."

He also voiced concern at continued impunity for human rights
violations, including sexual violence and rape, urging the authorities
"to apply a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding human rights abuses
committed by the security forces."

Mr. Ban urged the Peacebuilding Commission to continue its efforts to
sustain international support and mobilize resources for Burundi and
called on development partners to fill the funding gap for the
implementation of Burundi's second poverty reduction strategy.

"The international community has made a significant investment in
Burundi," he noted. "It must continue to play a constructive role
through enhanced coordination, particularly for the preparations for
the elections and support for security sector reform. More broadly,
the significant progress Burundi has made in furthering peace and
stability must be reinforced by socioeconomic development."Jan 28 2014
6:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata Weatherdata http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/
QUALIFY QICP
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=EW4078
Int'l
http://www.wetter.com/wetter_aktuell/wetternetzwerk/station/13156/wetterdaten/
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
NAS BLYND
http://weather.weatherbug.com/CA/Modesto-weather.html?zcode6286&stat=p19402
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication Commission
http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/ Ambassador Chevy Chase;
Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/ptusss to email guyperea1@hpeprint.com