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Burundi

Communiqué on Burundi

The Central Organ of the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, met at Ambassadorial level on 5 August 1996, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2. The meeting considered the Report of the Secretary General on recent developments in Burundi and additional briefing by the Secretary General on the outcome of the second Arusha Regional Summit of 31 July 1996, which brought together leaders of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Zaire as well as the Foreign Minister of Cameroon representing the Current Chairman of the OAU.

3. The Central Organ recalled the decision of the Yaounde Summit of July 1996 as well as its earlier decisions on Burundi.

4. The Central Organ paid tribute to the leaders of the countries of the Sub-Region for their efforts in finding a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict in Burundi.

5. The Central Organ fully supported the conclusions of the second Arusha Regional Summit and in particular, appealed to the International Community to lend its strong support for the speedy implementation of those decisions.

6. The Central Organ calls upon the Regime in Bujumbura to undertake immediate measures to end illegality and restore constitutional order in Burundi.

7. The Central Organ furthermore calls upon the regime in Bujumbura and all the other parties inside and outside Burundi to take advantage of the appeals by the leaders of the region, for the immediate and unconditional resumption of dialogue and negotiations under the auspices of the Mwanza Peace Talks facilitated by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere which seek to guarantee democracy and security for all Burundians.

8. The Central Organ appeals to all the people of Burundi to remain calm and avoid any actions which might jeopardize the peace process.

9. The Central Organ having considered the role of the OAU Mission in Burundi, especially, in the light of the new situation in that country, came to the conclusion that the military component of OMIB, has lost its relevance. Consequently, the Central Organ decided to terminate the deployment of the military component of OMIB as soon as possible. The Central Organ also decided that depending on the evolution of the situation in Burundi, the Secretary General should consider the possibility of strengthening the civilian and political component of the Mission.

10. The Central Organ requested the Secretary General to closely follow the situation in Burundi and to remain seized of any further developments.