S/RES/1858 (2008)
Security Council Distr.: General
22 December 2008
08-66559 (E)
*0866559*
Resolution 1858 (2008)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 6057th meeting, on
22 December 2008
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolutions and the statements of its President on Burundi, in
particular resolutions 1719 (2006) and 1791 (2007),
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
integrity and unity of Burundi,
Welcoming the Declaration of the Summit of the Heads of State and
Government of the Great Lakes Region on the Burundi Peace Process, which took
place in Bujumbura on 4 December 2008 and the agreements reached between the
Government of Burundi and the Forces Nationales de Libération (Palipehutu-FNL),
Paying tribute to the Regional Peace Initiative, the South African Facilitation,
the African Union and the Political Directorate for their sustained engagement in
support of Burundi’s peace consolidation efforts, to promote the full implementation
of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement signed on 7 September 2006 in
Dar es Salaam between the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL,
Taking note of the progress achieved by Burundi in key peace consolidation
areas, as well as the remaining challenges, in particular implementing the
Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement with the Palipehutu-FNL, consolidating
democratically elected institutions, strengthening good governance, completing the
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, and taking forward the
reform of the security sector, including ensuring that the security forces and justice
institutions effectively protect human rights and the rule of law,
Welcoming the establishment of the Permanent National Independent Electoral
Commission, recalling the need for nominations of its members to be through an
independent and inclusive process and recalling the importance that the elections
scheduled in 2010 are prepared in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue enshrined
in the Burundian Constitution that had led to a successful transition,
Emphasizing the need for the United Nations system and the international
community to maintain their support for peace consolidation and long-term
development in Burundi, welcoming the continued engagement of the Peacebuilding
Commission on Burundi and the recent visit of the delegation led by the Chairman
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of the Commission’s Burundi configuration and taking note of the June 2008
biannual review of progress in the implementation of the Strategic Framework for
Peacebuilding in Burundi and of the briefing of the Chairman of the Burundi
configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission on 11 December 2008,
Recognizing the importance of transitional justice in promoting lasting
reconciliation among all the people of Burundi and welcoming progress in the
preparations for national consultations on the establishment of transitional justice
mechanisms, including through the establishment of a Technical Follow-up
Committee and a forum of civil society representatives,
Noting with concern the continuing human rights violations and restrictions on
civil liberties, including arrests of members of the political opposition and
representatives of civil society, the media and trade unions and welcoming the
decision of the Government to rescind its order to regulate meetings and
demonstrations of political parties and associations,
Welcoming the Burundian authorities’ efforts to fight impunity, in particular
the trial and conviction of some of the perpetrators of the Muyinga massacre,
Recalling its resolution 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace and
security, its resolution 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts
and its resolution 1612 (2005) on children in armed conflict,
Having considered the fourth report (S/2008/745) of the Secretary-General on
the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB),
1. Decides to extend until 31 December 2009 the mandate of BINUB, as set
out in resolutions 1719 (2006) and renewed in its resolution 1791 (2007);
2. Urges the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL to make every
effort to implement, before 31 December 2008, the agreements they reached on
4 December 2008 so as to bring this last phase of the peace process to a successful
conclusion and calls on both parties to desist from any action that may create
tension or bring about the resumption of hostilities and to resolve outstanding issues
through dialogue and in a spirit of cooperation;
3. Calls on the Palipehutu-FNL to work with the Government, the Joint
Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and all international partners in order to
encourage all its combatants to move without conditionalities to assembly areas and
to fully implement the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion process;
4. Encourages the Regional Initiative leaders, the African Union, the South
African Facilitation, the Political Directorate and other international partners to
sustain their efforts in order to assist the parties in the implementation of the
4 December Declaration and to remain actively engaged on the ground to monitor
the process and to ensure its sustainability;
5. Reiterates its request for the Secretary-General, including through
BINUB, to play a robust political role in support of all facets of the peace process,
in full coordination with subregional, regional and international partners;
6. Encourages the Government of Burundi to take the necessary measures
to create an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair and peaceful
elections in 2010 and welcomes the United Nations readiness to assist in the
process;
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7. Requests the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General to
facilitate and promote dialogue among national and international stakeholders, in
particular in the context of the upcoming elections, while continuing to support their
efforts to sustain peace and stability;
8. Encourages the Government of Burundi to pursue its efforts regarding
peace consolidation challenges, in particular democratic governance, justice,
security reforms and protection of human rights;
9. Encourages the Government of Burundi, the Peacebuilding Commission,
and its national and international partners to honour the commitments they have
made under the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding and requests the
Peacebuilding Commission, with support from BINUB and the United Nations
Country Team, to continue to assist the Government of Burundi in laying the
foundations for sustainable peace and security and long-term development in
Burundi and in mobilizing the resources needed to achieve these aims, including for
the coming elections;
10. Underscores the importance of the disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration process and urges all international partners, in particular BINUB,
UNDP and the World Bank, to ensure that there are no gaps in resources and
capacities during the interim period between the Multi-country Demobilization and
Reintegration Programme and the establishment of the Burundi-specific trust fund
mechanism;
11. Encourages in this regard the Government of Burundi, in collaboration
with all international partners, to elaborate a disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration strategy and to lay the foundations for the sustainable socio-economic
reintegration of demobilized soldiers, ex-combatants, returning refugees, the
displaced and other vulnerable groups affected by the conflict, particularly women
and children, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000),
1612 (2005), 1674 (2006) and 1820 (2008);
12. Encourages the Government of Burundi, with the support of BINUB and
other partners, to ensure that national consultations on the establishment of
transitional justice mechanisms are begun as soon as possible, without further delay;
13. Encourages the Government of Burundi to pursue its efforts to broaden
the respect and protection of human rights, including through the establishment of
an National Independent Human Rights Commission, bearing in mind the Paris
Principles outlined in General Assembly resolution 48/134 and further encourages it
to end impunity and to take the necessary measures to ensure its citizens fully enjoy
their civil, political, social, economic, cultural rights without fear or intimidation, as
enshrined in the Constitution of Burundi and provided for by international human
rights instruments, including those ratified by Burundi;
14. Expresses in particular its concern at the continuing sexual and
gender-based violence, and urges the Government to take the necessary steps,
including through specific legislation to prevent further violations and to ensure that
those responsible are brought to justice, in accordance with international law;
15. Demands that the Palipehutu-FNL and other armed groups release
unconditionally and without further delay all children associated with them and
emphasizes the need for their sustainable reintegration and reinsertion;
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16. Urges BINUB to strengthen current provisions for cooperation with the
United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(MONUC), within the limits of their respective capacities and current mandate;
17. Encourages the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General to
pursue his action to enhance the integration and effectiveness of United Nations
efforts on the ground in support of the implementation of the Strategic Framework
for Peacebuilding in Burundi and of the recovery and development priorities of the
Government and people of Burundi;
18. Requests the Secretary-General to report by May 2009 to the Council on
the implementation of the mandate of BINUB, including on the results of the
technical assessment mission he intends to conduct early in 2009 and to incorporate
in his report any recommendations that may guide the Security Council in deciding
on the future direction of BINUB;
19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.