PSC/PR/COMM.(DLXV)
Page 2
7.
Stresses once again that only a genuine and truly inclusive dialogue, based on the respect of
the Arusha Agreement and the Constitution of Burundi, will allow the Burundian stakeholders to
overcome the serious difficulties facing their country, as well as strengthen social cohesion,
democracy and the rule of law. Council renews its appreciation to President Yoweri Museveni of
Uganda, the Mediator appointed by the EAC, for his ongoing efforts towards the imminent
commencement of the inter‐Burundian dialogue. Council reaffirms the centrality of the regional
process, as the only one that would make possible the conduct of inclusive talks bringing together
all Burundian stakeholders;
8.
Welcomes the measures taken by the Commission as part of the implementation of its
relevant communiqués on the situation in Burundi, including the generation of additional human
rights observers and military experts, to bring their strength to 100, in conformity with paragraph 9
(ii) of communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(DLXV), the support provided to the mediation led by Uganda
and the mobilization of the international community to facilitate a coordinated action in support of
the search for a peaceful solution to the current crisis. Council notes with satisfaction the
dispatching by the ACHPR of a fact‐finding mission to Burundi;
9.
Further welcomes the growing mobilization of the international community towards the
search for a peaceful solution to the crisis facing Burundi and the support provided to the African‐
led efforts, including the adoption by the United Nations (UN) Security Council, on 12 November
2015, of resolution 2248 (2015), in which the Council welcomed communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(DLI) and
the proposed next steps adopted on that occasion, looking forward to their full implementation, and
noted the decision of the AU to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes,
against all the Burundian stakeholders whose actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of
violence and impede the search for a solution;
10.
Notes that, in spite of all the efforts made to date, the situation in Burundi continues to
deteriorate and that there is a real risk of the situation degenerating into widespread violence, with
catastrophic consequences for Burundi and the entire region. Council underlines that it shall not
allow such a development to happen;
11.
Reaffirms, in this context, its determination to fully assume its responsibilities, having in
mind the relevant provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security
Council, in particular those relating to early response to contain crisis situations so as to prevent
them from developing into full‐blown conflict (article 4‐b), respect for the rule of law, fundamental
human rights and freedoms, the sanctity of human life and international humanitarian law (article 4‐
c), the anticipation and prevention of policies that may lead to crimes against humanity (article 7‐
1a); and the mandate of the African Standby Force (ASF), including preventive deployment in order
to prevent a dispute or a conflict from escalating, an ongoing violent conflict from spreading to
neighboring areas and States, and the resurgence of violence after parties to a conflict have reached
an agreement (article 13‐3d);
12.
Recalls that, in the Statement of Commitment to Peace and Security in Africa
[PSC/AHG/ST.(X)], issued at the Solemn Launching of the Peace and Security Council, on 25 May
2004, in Addis Ababa, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Peace and
Security Council undertook to ensure that Africa shall, at all times, move first in a timely manner to
address conflicts on the continent and expressed their determination not to shrink from decisive