CM/Res.1582 (LXII)
Page 1
RESOLUTION ON BURUNDI
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Sixty-Second Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 21 to 23 June, 1995,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Burundi, as contained in document CM/1884 (LXII) B,
Having taken note with appreciation of the results of the OAU Ministers Delegation comprising the Secretary-General, the Foreign Ministers of South Africa and Mauritius, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia and the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt which visited Burundi from 11 to 13 April 1995 as well as from 29 May to 3 June 1995,
Having heard the statement of the Minister of External Relations and Cooperation of Burundi about the evolution of the situation in that country,
Concerned over the recurring pattern of political and constitutional crisis in the country, particularly the recent outbreak of violence, political assassinations and acts of ethnic cleansing in parts of the country,
Appreciative of the efforts made by the OAU to assist Burundi in regaining peace, confidence and stability,
Recalling the decision taken by the Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflicts prevention, Management and Resolution to extend the mandate of the OAU Mission in Burundi (OMIB), for another three months, after the expiration of its mandate on 17 June, 1995 and reinforce its military component from 47 to 67 Officers as well as its civilian component:
TAKES NOTE of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Burundi;
REAFFIRMS its strong support for the Convention of Government and CALLS on all political and other forces, especially the military and security forces in the country, to work together for its full implementation for the restoration and consolidation of peace and security in Burundi;
STRONGLY CONDEMNS the continued militarization of the Burundi society which has resulted in the proliferation of militias;
FURTHER STRONGLY CONDEMNS the militia attack in the province of CIBITOKE on 14 June, 1995, of the convoy in which was the representative of the OAU Secretary-General and which resulted in the death of an OAU Military Observer;
HAILS the memory of Captain KABRE SANA of Burkina Faso, member of OMIB, who died while in service for peace;
APPEALS for greater cooperation among the countries of the region in their response to the insecurity and instability problems caused by the massive and illegal flow of arms into Burundi;
REITERATES ITS SUPPORT for the commitments made during the Bujumbura Conference on Refugees and displaced persons in the Great Lakes region and URGES all concerned to ensure their immediate implementation;
RENEWS ITS APPEAL for urgent and increased humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced persons in Burundi and Burundian refugees in the neighbouring countries;
CONGRATULATES AND EXTENDS ITS GRATITUDE to those countries which have sent officers to Burundi; EXPRESSES SATISFACTION with the arrangements made to reinforce the military component of OMIB, and calls on the international community to render financial and material assistance to the OMIB;
STRESSES the positive role that could be played by the neighbouring countries in bringing about durable peace in Burundi;
CALLS UPON Member States and the International Community at large to encourage, promote and support elements of moderation in Burundi, and do everything possible to isolate and neutralize elements of extremism; to disarm and disband the militia in the country;
UNDERSCORE the importance of greater coordination between the OAU and UN with respect to the situation in Burundi;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General of the AU to continue monitoring the situation in Burundi and report on both the situation and the activities of OMIB to the next Session of the Council.