Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2027 (2011), in which the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) and requested me to inform it of progress in implementing its mandate and resolution. Specifically, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1959 (2010) and 2027 (2011), on 10 May 2012, I submitted a set of benchmarks and related indicators, jointly agreed with the Government of Burundi, to assess progress on the situation in Burundi and thereby to inform the future evolution from BNUB to a regular United Nations country team presence.
2. In a letter dated 26 July 2012, the Security Council supported the benchmarks and asked for additional information concerning baseline data and assessments for each issue, including observations on timing, trends and the role of BNUB in the implementation efforts. The present report provides an update since my previous report, of 30 November 2011 (S/2011/751), and is structured around the eight benchmarks. In the annex to the present