YouSaid · the spoken record

Nyamitwe

lines on the record: 63
first: 2015-11-09
most recent: 2016-03-21
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Some talk today, in 2016, in the way they used to refer to African countries in the 1950s, giving orders to fully sovereign nations. By all standards, it is absolutely unacceptable that some appoint themselves as judges over our countries. Burundi is not a colony of any country. As I said earlier, our country vows cooperation, not subjugation. All the African initiatives to address the situation in Burundi should, in our view, be respected and encouraged. We cannot accept undue interference in those initiatives. The facilitator of the inter-Burundian dialogue is a former President, who deserves respect, not injunctions on how he should conduct his business.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“On the other hand, our Government will soon turn to international courts on that very serious threat. The required Security Council action is of course without prejudice to the right of the State of Burundi to enter into a litigation process. I wish to reiterate my country's full commitment to, and support for, the United Nations Great Lakes Regional Strategic Framework for 2016-2017. Burundi offers its full cooperation for the fulfilment of the road map therein proposed. It is our wish that point 5 of the road map cater to the Burundian refugees, whose return should be facilitated. We stand ready to work together with the Office of the Secretary-General in that regard. Finally, my delegation wishes to remind all our partners that a selective assessment of the situation in the region cannot help.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The youths arrested in the course of their lost battle of Kabarore, on 10 July 2015, have given extensive details of their journey from the refugee camps to the battlefield, through training camps inside Rwanda. The security authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also arrested some youths who, along with deserters from our army and Rwandan nationals, were using the eastern territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to launch their attacks against their country. Urgent action is needed. Burundi has already turned to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, which at least twice decided to deploy to Rwanda the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism with a fact-finding mandate. That mission is yet to be authorized by Rwanda.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Obviously, acts of aggression are contrary to the Charter ofthe United Nations and to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. Supporting negative elements that disturb peace in neighbouring countries is prohibited by existing relevant instruments. Recruiting refugees for the sole purpose of destabilizing Burundi is a clear violation of international law. The civilian nature of refugee camps has to be respected. I wish to thank the Secretary-General for emphasizing that aspect. All the acts I have described have been committed by the Republic of Rwanda against Burundi. The Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported those facts, joining other institutions and States.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“President Mkapa needs to be encouraged and supported. Our Government trusts in his capacity to conduct the dialogue process towards new horizons. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Dialogue has opened a debate on important matters pertaining to the life of our nation. There can be no more inclusiveness than that which brings on board all the citizens of the country. Our Government asks for support. The United Nations Great Lakes Regional Strategic Framework was developed because the region was plagued with negative forces and counted millions of refugees. Both challenges compound the already existing fragility of the region. The Framework was established to address both issues by devising ways of creating wealth for future generations while fostering cooperation among concerned countries.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Sometimes they promote ethnic hatred, with all the consequences that entails. As for the freedom of the press, two radio stations that had been shut down in the wake of the attempted coup have been authorized to operate once again. Today, 13 radio stations operate on the territory. Only three are still shut down, for obvious reasons of ongoing investigations. With regard to dialogue, former President Mkapa of Tanzania is already at work. Last Friday he concluded his tour in the region by visiting Burundi, where he was received by President Nkurunziza. We will soon be informed of what is to be the way forward. It is our View that the stability, security and territorial integrity of the State should not be sacrificed at the altar of inclusiveness. Resolution 2248 (2015) charts the way forward.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The number of monitors has increased to 200 - 100 are in charge of human rights and the other 100 are military experts - and part of their mandate is to monitor the border with Rwanda. Criminal acts involving the mass graves, which for months were not clear, are no longer mysteries. We now know who killed the three Italian nuns two years ago and who killed and hurriedly buried innocent civilians in areas that were hitherto covered by remote-controlled demonstrations. Criminals are now talking; they are now indicating who gave them what and which country in particular played which role. With regard to the right of association, I wish to call for caution, as some groups claim to speak in the name of the human rights cause but are actually engaged in efforts to promote one side of the conflict.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“In view of all this, we find it difficult to understand some of the decisions made against our country by some partners, who have consistently proclaimed, urbi et orbi, that they want peace and stability in Burundi. Cutting aid to the Government does not fall in the category of measures aimed at stabilizing the country - to the contrary. Our Government has offered cooperation in monitoring the human rights situation on the ground. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights dispatched a team of three experts, who concludedtheir mission last week. We are finalizing the memorandum of understanding with the African Union on monitoring the human rights situation.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“On human rights, for instance, our Government has made a number of goodwill gestures, in full compliance with our own laws and in respect of our sovereignty. A presidential decree granting pardon to 2,000 prisoners was issued, and their release is ongoing. That number includes youths who had been arrested because of acts of violence against the State and civilians over the recent months. While we understand the legitimate concerns that have been raised from time to time, we wish to take this opportunity to invite our friends, near and far, to understand our peculiar situation. As a sovereign State, Burundi also has laws, which need to be enforced, as befitting independent States. There is a country called Burundi.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“One is met with horror and shock as mass graves are found one by one in the hotbeds of the insurrection. Yet not long ago, especially in the wake of the simultaneous attack against three strategic military barracks, Government forces were accused, without any regard to either its right of self-defence or the aggressive nature of the assailants. Again, right here a short while ago, the United Kingdom Minister decided to attack Burundi on this issue without regard for those developments. Burundi is not on the verge ofa precipice. Contrary to the rhetoric that we have heard here, we believe that the security situation is improving. The challenges of today are met with the resolve of President Nkurunziza and the Government to address them.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The insurrection of April 2015 was organized by the same ring of politicians, associated with groups in the military and police, again, with the objective of overthrowing the Government. The attempted coup of 13 May 2015 and the subsequent attacks on Burundi from neighbouring Rwanda confirmed the overall objective of regime change. It goes without saying that information was manipulated and some organizations formulated policies with regard to my country based upon wrong assessments, or in the absence of any assessment at all. Groups that, in the name of exercising the right of assembly, have been busy killing innocent civilians over the past months are now coming out in the open. Many are confessing their crimes, indicating who their leaders are and which country trained them.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Information was manipulated, while all sorts of prophecies competed in predicting the worst that could happen to Burundi. The opposition was clearly given credence for all its allegations. And at least one speaker today relayed those at this meeting. Our history does not start with the re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza. As a matter of fact, when one assesses the situation that our country is fixing, one cannot help but conclude that violence predates the current term of the President. Burundi was attacked on 30 December 2014 by a group affiliated to an opposition politicalparty, with aview to thwarting the 2015 electoral process and installing a different political regime in Burundi.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“My delegation appreciates the role of the Secretary- General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region in organizing the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference last February. We believe that creating economic opportunities for youths is key to preventing conflicts. I also wish to acknowledge the positive role of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources and in addressing regional peace and security issues. Burundi is recovering from a massive, severe campaign ofviolent regime change. All possible means imaginable were used. All types of people were called upon. The sound of that campaign reverberated in places as far as this very building.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“At the outset, please allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, and your country, Angola, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March 2016. I wish to express my appreciation for the timely scheduling of this meeting on this theme. This region has suffered at least three major wars over the past 25 years, leaving 3 to 5 million people dead and a huge number of refugees as a result. We have to learn from the past. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, the Secretary- General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the representative of the World Bank for their briefings. We associate ourselves with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“That is why we invite not only members of the Security Council, but also all the countries of the region to work for the country to remain stable, so that the institutions are stable and not disrupted, and to help the Burundian people to realize their aspirations to participate legitimately, like all other peoples of the world, in all that globalization can offer today in material terms, and to cushion the shocks that this same globalization can bring to the peoples of the South.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“I very sincerely and solemnly urge those who would understand the reality on the ground to come themselves to see it rather than rely on reports that are sometimes not necessarily a reflection of reality on the ground and seek or serve other interests that are certainly contrary to the interests of the Burundian people and the region in general. My country, Burundi, my people, the people of Burundi - Hutus, Tutsis and Twas together - aspire to peace. Burundi absolutely aspires to peace. The Burundian people have suffered in the past and certainly would not wish to find themselves today or in the coming years in the same conditions in which they found themselves in 1965, 1969, 1972, 1993 and beyond.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“This perception of the country has led some institutions to make decisions that, in our opinion, were unfortunate - such the as AUPSC decision to deploy 5,000 men. This decision was not based on realities on the ground. We do not at all feel that we have closed the door to initiatives that would be willing to take the reality on the ground into account. Whenever the Peacebuilding Commission has sought to visit and see Burundi, it has been able to do so without problem. The Security Council has come and it has seen that Burundi was not on the brink of genocide.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“My delegation recalls that African Heads of State, members of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), the high-level delegation of the AfricanUnionledbySouthAfricanPresidentJacobZuma and the Burundian people, through their Parliament, rejected the option of an armed international presence in Burundi, favouring the option of the inter-Burundian political dialogue and observation missions. We clearly reiterate our unequivocal position. The Head of State reiterated this position to the Secretary-General during their talks of 23 February in Bujumbura. I would like to conclude my remarks with two or three words. When the Council receives reports on Burundi in New York, it gets the impression that the country is on the precipice, as has often repeated Mr. Zeid.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“Despite this hasty and unfair decision, my Government will continue wholeheartedly to redress the political and security situations in the interests of the well- being of the Burundian people, while bearing in mind our sovereignty, territorial integrity and good relations with our partners. Regarding cooperation with the United Nations, Burundi offers - I repeat, offers - its full cooperation with the country team, the team of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, as well as the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. Burundi remains available to the Secretary-General to discuss and agree on the size and mission of the Special Adviser's team provided for under resolution 2248 (2016).”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“This is indeed a clear violation of the Cotonou Agreement, which the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries will at some point have to review to ensure improved fairness, even if there is no real equality, between the ACP countries and the European Union. As I said, the Agreement is not a one-way street. The Burundian Government regrets the fact that European Union has not taken into account positive developments in the ongoing inclusive inter-Burundian dialogue or recently adopted human rights measures, including the pardoning of more than 2,000 prisoners and the cancellation of arrest warrants against certain politicians, the liberation of a number of people who had been detained with respect to the insurrection, and the the re-opening of a number of private radio stations.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“We ask our partners to seriously consider the appeal made the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, on behalf of the African Union high-level delegation to Burundi, with regard to the importance of resuming cooperation as a factor for strengthening peace. With regard to cooperation with the European Union, my Government takes note of its recent declaration relating to the suspencion of direct aid of the European Union to Burundi. Contrary to what Mr. Zeid said just now, we do not have the impression that this decision is in accordance with article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. There are clearly two parties to any agreement. No party cannot take advantage of its greater strength, be it numeric or qualitative, to impose on the other party its vision of the situation or, quite frankly, its political preference.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“I am speaking of Radio Isanganiro and Rema Television and Radio, which have already begun to broadcast. In addition to those two radio stations, which have resumed their activities, the National Communications Directorate has also just authorized a private radio station, Izere FM. With regard to socioeconomic development, my delegation has the impression that the political concerns of our partners have eclipsed the economic and social needs of our population. Clearly, placing political aspects before socioeconomic concerns is a factor that could lead to increased stability in our country. The two dimensions should receive equal attention from our partners, whom we ask to resume cooperation with our Government, which seeks to do the proper thing.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“At the end of their mission a few days ago, the experts held a press conference during which they declared: "We have observed a relative calm in Burundi. We should point out that we have not noted a disturbance. We have noticed a glimmer of hope, a clear and shared will to engage and to move forward to improve peace and security in Burundi. Within the framework of our mission, we cannot say that the situation in Burundi is an explosive one - absolutely not." With regard to the freedom ofexpression and ofcivil society, I wish to inform all present that Burundi has a good tradition of freedom of expression and very active civil society that we wish to maintain. In that regard, we have just authorized the re-opening of two private radio stations that had been destroyed in the wake of the attempted coup of 13 May 2015.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“That is done without concern for political affiliations. We cooperate closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. He knows that well, as does his office in Burundi. We have given them free access to our services regarding transparency issues. The same goes for the human rights observers of the African Union, the number of which, as I just mentioned, hasjust been increased. Ofcourse, we regret the fact that certain reports do not necessarily reflect the situation on the ground. We can say that this is more or less to be expected, within certain limitations. We have been just as cooperative with the human rights experts of the United Nations who have just spent time in our country.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“We hope that that Council will accede to our request. With regard to human rights, my delegation recalls that Burundi attaches great importance to human rights. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy in this area. We acknowledger that there are still cases of human rights violations, as there are elsewhere. We have established a judicial investigation commission to shed light into certain allegations of human rights violations from the beginning of the insurrection up until today. The human rights path in Burundi is not a rocky one; there are challenges, yes, but we have faith that we can overcome them. The willingness is there. It is palpable. The support of partners is needed to move forward together on the path towards democracy. We also recall that our Government has placed the fight against impunity at the heart of its priorities.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“Through our Permanent Mission in New York, Burundi has officially asked the President ofthe Security Council to address the issue urgently, as it seriously threatens international peace and security - not just in Burundi and Rwanda, but also the whole region. The time to act is now, as tomorrow will be too late. Today our Government once again launches an appeal to the Security Council to remind Rwanda that it has international obligations in terms of refugees as well as in terms of good neighbourliness. There are resolutions and instruments to which it freely adhered that call for respect for the peaceful coexistance of States in accordance with international law. Its recruitment activities must stop; the training and arming of negative forces that are attacking Burundi must also stop.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“It is something we take very seriously. We cannot remain silent in that regard. Let no one be under any illusions about that. As long as the situation persists, we must talk about it so that these activities stop. It is difficult today to know who is behind these acts - with so much information, proof and details available to Burundi as well as to the international community. On several occasions, Burundi has asked for an expanded joint verification mission from the Conference on the Great Lakes Region be sent to Burundi to clarify matters and determine whether those allegations are well-founded or not. That has not been the case; nevertheless, that has not discouraged us in the least.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“Several credible reports have already confirmed that Rwanda is facilitating the recuitment, the training and the arming of Burundian refugees in order to destabilize Burundi. I cannot give the Council the full list, but if one wants to know more you can read the report of the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the reports of Refugees International and Human Rights Watch. There is irrefutable proof available to us going back to the beginning of the insurrection in 2015, as well as the testimonials of children who were recuited and trained by Rwanda into the movement. They refer to specific military sites. We have also provided similar information to institutions. The Head of State in Burundi took the opportunity to mention that clearly to the Secretary- General when he visited Burundi.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“That is the reality with the presence of African Union human rights and military observers, whose numbers have now been increased to 100 in each of the two categories. Although we will soon sign the memorandum of understanding, that has already been agreed; of course, we now have to wait for the personnel to be identified and sent to the country. My country Burundi cannot remain silent. We will never be able to remain silent while we are subject to aggression. This clearly represents an existential threat. This has to do with acts of aggression coming from Rwanda, a neighbouring country with which Burundi has much in common in terms of culture. Our languages are not that dissimilar.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“We ask the Security Council to condemn the opposition's violence and terrorism, which contravenes the provisions of resolution 2248 (2015). In order to restore sustainable peace to our country, we have placed the civilian population at the heart of the Government's concerns. The process is under way and the results have been satisfactory. Because of the cooperation among the population, the police, the justice sector and the administration, many weapons have been seized from citizens. In order to continue with the disarmament process in transparency and cooperation, as the Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission said earlier, there is a need for an international presence.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“The criminal elements who turned themselves in were turned over to the National Human Rights Commission for their reintegration into their communities of origin. They are cooperating and have indicated certain locations where these opposition groups have killed and buried citizens in common graves. Today another common grave was found in a zone that was under the control of the opposition for a long time. For us and for the Council it is clear that throwing grenades into crowds is terrorism, which must be treated and condemned as such. No ideology, no political fight can justify such senseless acts that take the lives of children and women, who have nothing to do with the political situation in the country.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“However, there are still some elements of the opposition who are throwing grenades at peaceful citizens; I think others have referred to that. Contrary to the information provided by the opposition to the foreign press and associated or supportive media, Burundi is not guilty of those crimes. If you come to Burundi you will see that the image that is being put out by the media is not true at all. The good news is that the few cases of criminality and local terrorism aimed at drawing the attention of the international community are being brought under control. Several young people who were manipulated and recruited into criminal groups gave themselves up to the security services with weapons, ammunition and other military paraphernalia, and this movement to renounce violence continues.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“We are grateful to the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Benjamin Mkapa, the new facilitator of the inter-Burundian dialogue, who is, as the representative of Tanzania just mentioned, fully involved in consultations in the region. The day before yesterday he was received by President Museveni of Uganda, yesterday he was received in President Kagame of Rwanda and today he was received by President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi. As I speak, I think he is on his return journey. With regard to security, I can confirm that overall it is good. It is true that there are still some challenges here and there, but overall the situation is good at the national level and citizens see peaceful activities.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“We are talking about a huge work in progress - as the Arusha accord foresaw - to which Burundi's Head of State attaches enormous importance, and we will of course be very happy if the international community would lend us its assistance. On the regional front, consultations are ongoing with subregional facilitation in order to arrive at agreement on important points for the next dialogue session with those members of the diaspora who desire peace, with full inclusivity, as was outlined in resolution 2248 (2015), adopted by the Security Council on 12 November of last year. Among other things, those points concern the effective identification of participants as well as the items on the agenda, in accordance with the proposed methodology, with which Burundi is in full agreement.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“As the Council is aware, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is chaired by a cleric, consists of 11 members, of whom six are Hutu, four Tutsi and one Twa, which corresponds to the quotas recognized by the Arusha accord and confirmed by the 2005 Constitution. The Commission therefore symbolizes political, ethnic, regional and gender inclusiveness. It is tasked with preparing a programme for pardons, reconciliation and reparation to be submitted to the Government and Parliament of Burundi. Burundi must take advantage of such an opportunity to work calmly to build their country's future in order to ensure that the events of the past can never be repeated.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“Rather, dialogue should be a way to consolidate peace and social justice. We have therefore committed in good faith to such a political dialogue, whose internal momentum is well under way under the leadership of the National Commission on the Inter-Burundian Dialogue, which is working hard throughout the country to ensure that no one is left out. In any case, all Burundian citizens are invited to contribute to our national reconstruction. With regard to national reconciliation, the President of the Republic announced a week ago the official start of the operational phase of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the presence of several of our international, technical and financial partners.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“One of the recommendations made at the meeting of the Ministers of Defence of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region held on 10 February in Luanda called on all stakeholders to engage in the inter-Burundian dialogue, which is the best way to build peace and unity for the Burundian people. Yes, the dialogue we want should be inclusive, but we should nonetheless be able to express our oft- repeated position that those who joined in the attempt to overthrow our legitimate institutions on 13 May 2015 can obviously not be granted an opportunity to achieve through dialogue what they failed to achieve through a coup d'etat. It is therefore understandable that the dialogue cannot be used as a way to disguise or reinforce a culture of impunity in Burundi or to trample on universally recognized principles of democracy.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“The Head of State has already committed to undertaking that dialogue, and he already communicated his willingness in that regard to the Secretary-General during his visit on 3 February, and to the high-level delegation of the African Union, led by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, which visited Bujumbura in the wake of the unfortunate hearing of 25 February. We are in complete agreement that it is clear that a political solution must be preferred to a military one. It is true that there are still parties in Burundi who believe in a military solution, but we believe that they are mistaken.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“One sometimes wonders whether he understands the situation in our country, since his statement has so many gaps, so many troubling facts and, frankly speaking, so many contradictions. In my statement, I would like to emphasize some essential aspects of the political, security and human rights situations in Burundi. With regard to the political dialogue, we are aware that the current political problems facing Burundians can be solved only through an inclusive, open and sincere dialogue among Burundians themselves, both inside and outside the country, conducted correctly and holistically.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“Mr. Nyamitwe (Burundi) (spoke in French): At the outset, my delegation would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and the delegation of Angola on your leadership of the Security Council for the month of March, and to thank you for organizing today's briefing on the situation in Burundi. I am grateful to the Secretary-General for his presence today and would like to thank him, personally and on behalf of President Nkurunziza and the people of Burundi, for his recent visit to our country. I must also not fail to thank the Security Council for its visit to Burundi in January. I am also grateful to the other speakers for the quality of their contributions to today's meeting, even while I am sure they will understand if I cannot fully agree with the statement by Mr. Al Hussein.”
2016-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7652 (2016) · source
“It is essential to rebuild trust in good faith together through frank and sincere dialogue. By way of conclusion, allow me simply to state to all those who have taken the floor that while we understand those of their concerns that may be justified, the Government nonetheless remains ready to work further with its partners at the regional and continental levels. Our first priority is to allay any fear ofthe genocide that has been widely touted in the press. We must do our utmost to ensure an end to the flow of Burundian blood. Even one death in the country is a national tragedy.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“They not only affect the most vulnerable, but they also radicalize base positions on the political situation. Fourthly, support for the inter-Burundian national dialogue at all levels is a sound approach that will have the positive effect of encouraging the Government and the opposition to act together in the interests of the country. The dialogue will allow citizens to share their views on questions that divide the Burundian people, and to find lasting solutions for lasting reconciliation, Fifthly, it is vital to cooperate and engage in dialogue with the Government of Burundi and other stakeholders instead of hardening positions by issuing contradictory press communiques and adopting selective sanctions vis-a-vis certain players in Burundi. The head-on confrontation with our partners of the past few days must stop.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“I should like to make a few of the most important recommendations to the international community concerning the current situation in Burundi. First, the end of the electoral process provides an opportunity to evaluate the evolution of the democratic culture in the country. It is also a good time to note the strengths and weaknesses that will allow all players to draw lessons learned so as to better prepare for the future. Secondly, there is a vital need for investment in the economy and in community-rebuilding through generous financing for projects that create employment for youth, women and other vulnerable individuals, which will offer them an alternative to violence. Thirdly, to the extent possible, it is important to avoid resort to sanctions, which are ineffective in many ways.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“Over the years, my country has always demonstrated restraint. There have been no notable acts of aggression against its neighbours, and we shall maintain that policy of good-neighbourliness, despite the turbulence that we are currently experiencing. We intend to establish a new framework for growth and combating poverty. We would therefore request the support of our traditional and our non-traditional partners in carrying out the far- reaching project of eliminating poverty in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. The Burundi configuration will play a key role therein, just as it has a key role of mobilizing resources in other post-conflict countries. That role will become crucial. within the framework of establishing a bridge between Burundi and its partners in the restoration of trust between the parties.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“In upholding the Charter of the United Nations we also would ask that certain individuals, who are part of destabilizing activities after the elections of 2015 and the coup d'etat, would stop being supported and disseminating destabilizing messages from their host country, as those are not acts apt to favorize friendly relations and cooperation among countries. For its part, the Government of Burundi is committed to pursuing peaceful diplomacy with its partners on the principle of reciprocity. We have seen that unfriendly actions by neighbouring countries and others is extremely destructive. On that account, I would like to state that it is noteworthy that we have demonstrated peaceful gestures towards our neighbours and will continue our policy of good-neighbourliness whatever situation we happen to encounter.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“In any case, our intention remains one of maintaining increasing beneficial cooperation among our people and European and other partners. Within the framework of rebuilding confidence, my delegation humbly requests that countries in the North, as well as in the South, that continue to harbour individuals accused of reprehensible international and national crimes, such as those who were implicated in the coup of 13 May 2015 - as well as other wrongdoers - that they cooperate with our Government so that they can be prosecuted. I believe that that is not just a matter of human rights. Other parties need to cooperate too. That is very important.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“We therefore believe that threats by some of suspending development assistance runs counter to the noble goal of building a more equitable and just world. For we think that the Burundian people have the same rights as everyone else. To certain members of the Security Council and others of the European Union, we would like to clarify that we did receive the request from that organization to open consultations with Burundi on the basis of article 96 of the Cotonou agreement. That concerns human rights matters, the state of democracy and governance. We have received that correspondence and are in full consultations so as to willingly provide an appropriate response within the set time frame to our partners.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“With regard to rebuilding trust with our partners, my delegation would ask our traditional and non-traditional partners to continue to focus on the future of the country. I believe that this morning's meeting with the Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission was once again an opportunity to ask him to plead in my country's favour, so that we can all move towards the future together. Our country still needs its friends. We will not be able to rebuild our country without the contribution of traditional partners, with whom we have had a bitter- sweet relationship but who nevertheless came back to support us after we obtained our sovereignty, in 1962, so that we could offer more opportunities to participate with others in the world in the new era of globalization.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“We also call upon our partners to take allegations seriously. I think Mr. Al Hussein correctly addressed that issue earlier. I cannot say enough how much we deplore the fact that some refugee camps have become grounds for recruiting young people to fill the ranks of rebel groups, and who in turn will continue to disrupt peace and security in the country. We believe that the way the refugee camps such as the one in Mahama, Rwanda, are being managed is extremely ill-advised. I believe that even the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region had the opportunity on more than one occasion to highlight that we want to uncategorically build our region in peace and security, and that of course entails the proper management of the refugee camps.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source
“With regard to the issue of refugees, it has been clearly established that we must do everything possible to ensure that that those who fled the country owing to the political situation at the time, particularly in April, are able to return. That is the reason that the Government is in contact with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and those countries that welcomed our brothers and sisters, so that we can engage the tripartite commission with the aim of repatratriating the refugees. I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to neighbouring countries that have hosted refugees. We know that that is no easy task. In the past, our country also hosted refugees for several years. We therefore understand that it is a costly endeavour, especially when such a situation occurs suddenly.”
2015-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7553 (2015) · source