PSC/AHG/COMM.3(DLXXI)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 571st meeting, held
on 29 January 2016, at the level of Heads of State and Government, adopted the following
decision on the situation in Burundi:
Council,
1.
Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission PSC/AHG/(DLXXI) on
the evolution of the situation in Burundi. Council also takes note of the statements made
by the Second Vice‐President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Joseph Butore, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation of the United Republic
of Tanzania, Augustine P. Mahiga, in his capacity as the Representative of the current
Chairman of the East African Community (EAC) and the Vice‐President of the Republic of
Uganda, H.E. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, as the Representative of the EAC Mediator, H.E.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Council further takes note of the statement made by
the Secretary‐General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki‐moon;
2.
Reiterates the concern of the AU about the political situation, as well as the
insecurity and violence, obtaining in Burundi;
3.
Reaffirms the strong condemnation by the AU of all acts of violence, whoever be the
perpetrators and the persistence of impunity and demands that all parties put an
immediate end to all these attacks, violations of human rights and other abuses carried out
against the civilians and the security forces;
4.
Reiterates the commitment of the AU to respect the independence and territorial
integrity of Burundi and therefore, condemns the armed attacks against its military
structures, as well as any destabilization attempt, whatever be the origin, nature or the
author;
5.
Welcomes the steps taken by the Commission within the framework of the
implementation of its relevant decisions on the situation in Burundi, particularly the support
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;
6.
Congratulates H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda
and Mediator in the Burundi crisis, on behalf of the EAC, on the measures taken for the re‐
launching of the Inclusive Dialogue on 28 December 2015 in Entebbe and reiterates its
support to him, for the continuation of the Dialogue. Council reiterates its call on all the
Burundian stakeholders, both Government and opposition groups to fully cooperate with
and show utmost respect to the mediation;
7.
Stresses, once again, the imperative need for the Inter‐ Burundian Dialogue to be
genuine and all‐inclusive, without preconditions and focus on all the issues on which there is