Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUJUMBURA289
2007-04-17 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION VISIT TO BURUNDI

Tags:  EFIN KPKO SOCI UNGA PREL BY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHJB #0289/01 1071530
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171530Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0005
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0231
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0001
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000289 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017
TAGS: EFIN KPKO SOCI UNGA PREL BY
SUBJECT: UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION VISIT TO BURUNDI

REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 285

B. BUJUMBURA 266

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D.)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000289

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017
TAGS: EFIN KPKO SOCI UNGA PREL BY
SUBJECT: UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION VISIT TO BURUNDI

REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 285

B. BUJUMBURA 266

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D.)


1. (C) Summary: The UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) has
identified four priority areas in which to work in Burundi,
according to a delegation which visited Bujumbura April
11-14. The PBC is now preparing an integrated peacebuilding
strategy which will focus on good governance, rule of law,
security sector reform, and community recovery. They urged
Burundi to continue to work to implement a cease-fire
agreement with the rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL noting that only
Burundi itself could create a stable political climate. The
delegation also pledged to help Burundi mobilize additional
resources for development, while noting the PBC would not
serve as another donor mechanism. Privately, however, the
head of the PBC delegation commented that the Burundian
government may be expecting too much of the Peacebuilding
Commission. End Summary.


2. (U) In a visit to Burundi April 11-14, a UN Peacebuilding
Commission (PBC) delegation emphasized that it would focus on
four priority areas: good governance, rule of law, security
sector reform, and community recovery. The PBC plans to work
with the Government of Burundi (GOB) to develop an integrated
peacebuilding strategy, which it expects to complete by
midsummer. The Chair of the delegation, Ambassador Johan
Levald, Norway's Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, indicated that the peacebuilding process must be a
broad based effort, rather than exclusively a donor process.
The PBC recognized the importance of upcoming Donor Round
Table, scheduled for May 24-25, noting that the PBC hoped to
provide added value to the discussions there.


3. (U) The PBC delegation's Burundi program included
meetings with senior government officials, including
President Pierre Nkurunziza, First Vice President Martin
Nduwimana, Minister Of External Relations Antoinette
Batumubwira, Minister of Justice Clotilde Niragira, and

senior leaders of the Senate and National Assembly. The
group also met with members of political parties, civil
society, the private sector, and religious leaders, as well
as with the diplomatic corps. UN organizers invited
locally-based diplomats from PBC member nations to
participate in some of the events, which also included a
day-long field trip to Gitega, two hours east of Bujumbura.

Support for Economic Development
--------------


4. (SBU) PBC delegation members emphasized that their
message to the GOB was one of support and encouragement. The
delegation recognized that the GOB sought to use the PBC
visit as preparation for the Donor Round Table, particularly
as a means to attract additional support. Ambassador Levald
privately confided that Burundi seemed to expect too much of
the Peacebuilding Commission, seeing it perhaps as a means to
obtain extensive financing. Nonetheless, Ambassador Levald
and his delegation stressed both publicly and privately that
the PBC did not intend to duplicate other ongoing projects;
rather, it would work with the GOB to define areas of
responsibility. In its discussions with GOB officials, the
delegation reiterated the UN's commitment to help Burundi to
consolidate peace and to assist in resource mobilization to
combat poverty and promote community recovery. The
delegation stressed the importance of an open political
dialogue, respect for human rights, and good governance.
They warned that the delays in implementing the cease fire
agreement with the PALIPEHUTU-FNL could jeopardize the
long-term stability of the country. While the PBC itself
could provide support for capacity building, only Burundi
could provide the necessary political stability to encourage
economic development.


5. (U) Burundian officials stressed that although Burundi
has made tremendous progress, it continues to face political
challenges. The country's biggest challenge, according to
First Vice President Nduwimana, is the need to bridge
political, social and economic gaps within the society.
Burundi has already adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy,
noted Foreign Minister Batumubwira; now, it is seeking full
financing for the plan. Burundi would rely on support and
advocacy both from its donor partners and from the PBC
itself. In order to garner support for the upcoming Round
Table, Burundi planned to dispatch emissaries abroad to meet
with current and potential donor nations; she urged the PBC
to approach these countries simultaneously, on Burundi's
behalf, in order to bolster donor confidence.

The Problem of the FNL
--------------


6. (U) Many interlocutors stressed the need to establish a
secure peace by resolving outstanding issues with the FNL.
Foreign Minister Batumubwira noted the need for patience and
perseverance in order to reach a lasting agreement.
Opposition political leaders asserted that in order to
consolidate peace, it would be essential to negotiate with
FNL head Agathon Rwasa and other armed groups which remain
outside the government. They urged the PBC to support such
talks, asking further that the PBC encourage the GOB to
facilitate a dialogue between all political parties.
Political reps lamented that the opposition currently does
not play a constructive role in government, since both sides
are still learning their respective roles in a democratic
society.


7. (U) The delegation also expressed concerns about the
justice sector and the issue of impunity. Asked which crimes
would be subject to justice and not subject to amnesty,
Minister of Justice Niragira replied that international
crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against
humanity could never be subject to amnesty or impunity.
Minister Nirargira added that the GOB is in the process of
analyzing all existing laws and would propose necessary
amendments in order to put into place a justice system which
would reflect the country's current circumstances.


8. (U) Both political and religious leaders urged the PBC to
work with Burundi to establish a Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC). Clerics, in particular, believed they
could play a critical role in creating an atmosphere of trust
and forgiveness in which a TRC could work. The three
prelates - of the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Islamic
faiths - agreed that a successful TRC must state facts
truthfully and faithfully. At the same time, the judiciary
must resolve the question of impunity. Finally, they said,
reconciliation must lead to community reintegration without
reference to compensation.

Comment
--------------


9. (C) Although the delegation publicly expressed
satisfaction with the results of their visit, some members
acknowledged privately that many of the meetings were of
limited utility. Although the schedule included sessions
with representatives of each of the major sectors in
Burundian public life, the visit itself appeared poorly
organized. In more than one instance, the sheer numbers of
attendees, combined with the limited amount of time allotted
for each session, hampered an active exchange of ideas.
Although the delegation explained clearly its goals for its
mission, it is less likely that their meetings provided them
as comprehensive a contextual background as they may have
hoped to receive.
BREITER