EU condemns continuing war

The EU on Friday expressed its extreme concern over the continuing violence and worsening humanitarian situation in Burundi, particularly in Bujumbura Rural Province, a statement from the EU said.

Noting that it was almost six months after the process of setting up the transitional institutions had begun, it urged all warring factions to respect the civilian population in the name of international humanitarian law, and all parties to respect human rights.

"The European Union condemns once again the logic of war, still apparently being followed by the armed groups. It urges all armed factions to continue current talks with the firm intention of bringing them to a successful conclusion," it said.

"At the same time, the EU calls on the Burundian government to pursue a transparent and coherent policy of reintegrating armed groups into the Burundian army. It encourages the efforts to negotiate a definitive and permanent ceasefire which are continuing under Gabonese/South African facilitation and with the support of Tanzanian mediation," it said.

It said it was ready to support this process, provided that a timetable and precise objectives were announced.

"The EU also encourages the government and all the transitional institutions to consolidate the reform process which has already begun by implementing the transition programme in accordance with the planned timetable, so as to construct a Burundian society which complies with the contents of the agreement and caters for all Burundians," the statement said.

The EU noted the beginning of the operation for the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees in Tanzania under the Tripartite Agreement between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Burundian and Tanzanian governments.

It pointed out that, in accordance with the Arusha agreement, the return of refugees must be voluntary and take place in dignity with guaranteed security, taking into account the particular vulnerability of women and children.

It urged the armed groups to do everything possible to guarantee the security of refugees returning to Burundi, adding that reception mechanisms must be put in place before their return.

"The EU calls on all the parties involved to deal with the question of Burundian refugees' return home in unhurried fashion and with all the desired guarantees. It also asks that equal attention should be paid to all the victims of the Burundian crisis, including the internally regrouped and displaced," the statement said.

After years of negotiations, a transitional government was installed last November, following a peace agreement signed in Arusha in August 2000 by 19 political parties, but not by armed rebels, mainly the Forces pour la defense de la democratie (FDD) and Forces nationales de liberation (FNL).

Despite the installation of the government, fighting has been going on in different parts of the country and has caused displacement of thousands and many deaths. Fighting intensified between rebels and government troops on 11 March this year, in Bujumbura Rural Province.

Attempts to have delegations from the Burundi government and the rebels of the wing of the FDD led by Pierre Nkurunziza hold talks in Pretoria, South Africa, flopped last week, although, according to an analyst, there are good prospects that the FNL will also start holding talks with the government by the end of May.