United Nations Security Council Resolution 1650

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5341st meeting, on 21 December 2005

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and the statements by its President on Burundi, and in particular resolution 1545 of 21 May 2004,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi, and recalling the importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and cooperation in the relations among States in the region,

Congratulating the people of Burundi for the successful conclusion of the transitional period and the peaceful transfer of authority to representative and democratically elected government and institutions,

Expressing its gratitude to the States of the Regional Initiative for peace in Burundi, the African Union and the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) for their significant contribution to the success of the political transition,

Encouraging the new authorities and all Burundian political actors to continue on the course of stability and national reconciliation and to promote social concord in their country, while recognizing that numerous challenges remain to be addressed,

Stressing the need to put in place the reforms provided for in the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi,

Encouraging in particular the Burundian authorities to continue to work with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, including on the establishment of the mixed Truth Commission and the Special Chamber within the court system of Burundi referred to in resolution 1606 of 20 June 2005,

Reiterating its support for ONUB, which continues to have an important role to play in support of the Government’s efforts towards the consolidation of peace,

Recognizing the important role of the Partners Forum established during the New York summit on Burundi on 13 September 2005, in the consolidation of peace and reconciliation in Burundi and in supporting reform being undertaken by the Government,

Encouraging the Government to work with its international partners, in particular with a view to mobilizing assistance for the reconstruction of the country,

Taking note of the position of the Government on the evolution of ONUB’s mandate, as presented to the Council on 30 November 2005 by Mrs. Antoinette Batumubwira, Minister of External Relations and International Co-operation, and recorded in the letter to the President of the Security Council dated 23 November 2005 (S/2005/736),

Taking note of the report of the Security Council mission which visited the region of Central Africa from 4 to 11 November 2005 (S/2005/716), and endorsing its recommendations,

Expressing its serious concern at the continuation of hostilities by the Forces nationals de Libération — Palipehutu (FNL), and at the threat they pose to civilians,

Noting that although there has been an improvement in the security situation since the completion of the transitional period, factors of instability remain in Burundi and in the Great Lakes region of Africa, which continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Takes note of the Secretary-General’s fifth report on ONUB, dated 21 November 2005 (S/2005/728), and in particular of the recommendations in its paragraphs 57 to 60;

2. Decides to extend the mandate of the ONUB until 1 July 2006;

3. Welcomes the readiness expressed by the Secretary-General to continue to consult closely with the Government of Burundi, with a view to determining, on the basis of the recommendations referred to in the letter dated 23 November 2005, the modalities for implementing a gradual disengagement of the United Nations peacekeeping presence and of an adjustment to its mandate, taking into account all the circumstances, as well as the merits of a United Nations contribution and support to the consolidation of peace in Burundi;

4. Looks forward to receiving the Secretary-General’s report on the joint assessment mentioned in paragraph 60 of his fifth report on ONUB, by 15 March 2006;

5. Authorizes, subject to the following conditions, the temporary redeployment of military and civilian police personnel among ONUB and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), taking into account the need to ensure effective performance of the current mandates of those missions, and requests in this regard the Secretary-General to begin consultations with the countries contributing military and civilian police personnel to those missions:

(a) the Secretary-General shall receive prior agreement of the countries contributing military and civilian police personnel and of the governments concerned,

(b) he shall inform the Security Council in advance of his intention to make such a redeployment, and in particular of its proposed scope and duration,

(c) any such redeployment shall require a corresponding prior decision of the Security Council;

6. Underlines that any personnel redeployed in accordance with paragraph 5 above shall continue to be counted against the authorized ceiling on military and civilian personnel of the mission from which they are being transferred, and that any such transfer shall not have the effect of extending the deployment of personnel after the expiration of the mandate of their original mission, unless the Security Council decides otherwise;

7. Urges the Government to complete the implementation of the programme of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, including the effective reintegration of former combatants;

8. Welcomes the willingness shown by the Government to achieve a peaceful solution with the Palipehutu-FNL, and reiterates its call upon this movement to join the peace and national reconciliation process without further delays or conditions, and its intention to consider appropriate measures that might be taken against those individuals who threaten this process;

9. Expresses its deep concern at the violations of human rights reported by the Secretary-General, and urges the Government and other parties concerned to take the necessary steps to prevent further violations and to ensure that those responsible for such violations are brought to justice without delay;

10. Urges the international partners for the development of Burundi, including the concerned bodies of the United Nations, to continue to provide their support for the reconstruction of the country, particularly through an active participation in the donors conference to be organized in early 2006;

11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.