United Nations Security Council Resolution 1791

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5809th meeting, on 19 December 2007

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and the statements of the President on Burundi, in particular its resolution 1719 (2006),

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi, and emphasizing the importance of national ownership by Burundi of peacebuilding, security and long-term development,

Noting the progress made by Burundi towards consolidating peace and stability, as well as the remaining challenges, in particular completing the peace process with the Forces Nationales de Libération (Palipehutu-FNL), consolidating democratically-elected institutions and good governance, and completing the disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion process and the reform of the security sector, including ensuring that the security forces and judicial institutions effectively protect human rights and the rule of law,

Welcoming the appointment on 14 November 2007 of a government of national unity,

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, and welcoming in this regard the establishment of the “Groupe de coordination des partenaires”,

Taking note of the briefing of the Chairman of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission on 6 December 2007, welcoming the Peacebuilding Commission’s close engagement on Burundi, including the finalization with the Burundian Government of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding and the adoption of the Monitoring and Tracking Mechanism, and looking forward to its implementation in the same spirit of partnership,

Paying tribute to the facilitation efforts of South Africa, in conjunction with the countries of the Regional Peace Initiative and the African Union, 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,

Welcoming the signing, on 2 November 2007, of a framework agreement on the establishment of a Tripartite Steering Committee for National Consultations on Transitional Justice Mechanisms, stressing the importance of an early start of the Committee’s activities, and encouraging the Burundian authorities and the Secretary-General, pursuant to resolution 1606 (2005), to continue to cooperate on this issue,

Recalling the conclusions of its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict pertaining to parties in armed conflict in Burundi (S/2007/92), taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Burundi (S/2007/686), calling upon the Government of Burundi and urging all parties, in particular the Palipehutu-FNL, to cooperate with the Working Group with a view to following up on its conclusions, and encouraging United Nations agencies and donors to continue to support these efforts,

Welcoming BINUB’s policy to promote and protect the rights of women and to take into account gender considerations as set out in its resolution 1325 (2000) as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to keep the Council informed,

Having considered the second report (S/2007/682) of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB),

1. Decides to extend until 31 December 2008 the mandate of BINUB, as set out in resolution 1719;

2. Commends the authorities and political actors in Burundi for persevering in their dialogue on achieving stability and national reconciliation and to promote social harmony in their country, and encourages them to continue that dialogue;

3. Urges the Palipehutu-FNL to return to the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) without delay or preconditions and to immediately release all children associated with it, and calls on both parties to the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement to refrain from any action that might lead to a resumption of hostilities and to resolve outstanding issues in a spirit of cooperation including through agreeing on a road map of sequenced steps and clear time frames for the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and conclusion of the final phase of the peace process;

4. Encourages the South African Facilitation, the Regional Peace Initiative, the African Union and other international partners to reinforce efforts in support of the early conclusion of the peace process between the Government of Burundi and Palipehutu-FNL, and requests the Secretary-General, including through BINUB, to play a robust political role in support of the peace process, in full coordination with regional and international partners;

5. Encourages BINUB and the Facilitation to expedite their consultations on a common approach to deal with the issue of alleged FNL dissidents, with appropriate international support;

6. Encourages the Burundian Government to pursue its efforts regarding peace consolidation challenges, in particular democratic governance and justice and security reforms;

7. Expresses its deep concern at the continuing human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence, and urges the Government to diligently investigate all such reports and take the necessary steps to prevent further violations and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report regularly to the Council on the implementation of the mandate of BINUB and the progress regarding the benchmarks contained in the addendum to his report dated 21 June 2006 (S/2006/429/Add.1), and to keep the Council informed of the progress towards the eventual transition from the integrated office to a primarily development-focused engagement;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.