AU reiterates need for dialogue, consensus for lasting solution to crisis in Burundi

The African Union (AU) has reiterated the imperative need for dialogue and consensus for a lasting solution to the crisis in Burundi.

The pan-African bloc said in a statement on Sunday that it would not observe the elections scheduled for 29 June, 2015 in the country.

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, reiterated AU's deep concern about the serious political and security situation obtaining in Burundi, said the statement.

The Chairperson stressed that the stalemate in the political process and the increase in acts of violence may undermine the important gains made following the conclusion of the 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and the 2003 Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement, with serious implications for peace and security in Burundi and for the stability of the entire region.

The Chairperson recalled the decisions by the summit of the East African Community (EAC) in Dar-es-Salaam on 31 May, 2015, and by the meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), in Johannesburg, on 13 June, 2015, which provide an appropriate framework for a lasting and peaceful resolution of the current crisis.

She noted, in particular, the request made by the PSC for the consensual determination of the election date and the resumption of the inter-Burundian dialogue, with a view to creating conditions conducive to the organization of free, fair transparent and credible elections, as well as to finding solutions to all the issues on which the parties disagree.

The Chairperson stressed the relevance of the proposal by the International Facilitation, composed of the AU, the UN, the EAC, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), for the postponement of the local, legislative and presidential elections, which would have then taken place simultaneously on 30 July 2015.

She deeply regretted that the proposal, submitted in accordance with the decisions of the Heads of State of the Region and of the PSC and which were formally communicated to all the parties, including the Government, was not accepted.

The Chairperson urgently appealed to the Government and all the other parties, to take a full measure of the dangers threatening their country, respond positively to the urgent calls for dialogue and restraint made by the region, the AU, the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, as well as by a number of international partners, both bilateral and multilateral.

She also appealed to them to uphold the supreme interests of Burundi at this crucial phase of its history, including by agreeing to postponing the elections to the date proposed by the International Facilitation.

The Chairperson recalled their duty to spare their country and its people a new period of hardship, with incalculable consequences.

In conformity with the PSC's decision on 13 June, and noting that "the necessary conditions are not met for the organization of free, fair, transparent and credible elections, in compliance with the relevant provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the AU Commission will not observe the local and parliamentary elections scheduled for 29 June 2015."

"The AU, in support of the efforts of the EAC and the ICGLR and in close cooperation with the UN and other international stakeholders, will continue to do everything in its power to help the people of Burundi overcome the challenges at hand, in an effort to preserve the hard-won peace, reconciliation and stability in Burundi and to deepen democracy and the rule of law."

She condemned all acts of violence and violations of human rights.

The Chairperson recalled that the PSC on 13 June expressed its determination to take all necessary measures against all Burundian actors whose actions perpetuate violence and hinder the search for a political solution. Endi