The Burundian President, Pierre Nkurunzinza has withdrawn from peace talks consequently terminated contacts with the United Nations and the African Union.
According to the United Nations, the Bujumbura regime has “largely shut” doors for political engagement.
“We have engaged quickly, refrained from public criticism and encouraged modest, small steps to build confidence with the parties. Despite this modeled approach, the doors to engagement and cooperation have been largely shut by the authorities,” said Jamal Benomar, the UN Special Advisor on the situation in Burundi.
Mr. Benomar presented the first Secretary General’s Report to the UN Security Council on Wednesday night noting that Bujumbura is no longer cooperating with the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights.
“In the past several months, the Government has decided to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, suspend cooperation and collaboration with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and refused cooperation with the commission of inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council.”
The Burundi government has reportedly also avoided signing a document with the African Union that would allow human rights observers and military experts to be deployed, to aid her citizens.
Referring to the report, Mr. Benomar called on the Burundian Government “to fulfill its moral obligation and political responsibility to return the country to a path of peace.”
He added that most Burundians do not want to continue on the track of international isolationism, violence and repression.
The UN envoy however urged the international community – guided by the Security Council – to do its part to support those who seek a peaceful resolution of this crisis.
The Security Council also heard by video-conference from former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who is facilitating discussions between the government and the opposition in accordance with the Arusha Agreement.