European Union finally lifts restrictions on direct financial assistance to the Burundian administration
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol VI, Issue #204 | Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
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Dear Readers,
In a press release published on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the Council of the EU and the European Council decided today to repeal its decision taken in 2016, which imposed the suspension of direct financial assistance to the Burundian administration or institutions. With the repeal, the EU will therefore be able to resume this kind of cooperation with the Burundian administration.
Today's decision to lift restrictions is a result of the peaceful political process that started with the general elections of May 2020 and which has opened a new window of hope for the population of Burundi.
The European Union thus joins the United States which had already lifted, last November, all the sanctions that the Obama administration had imposed on Burundi. The Democratic tenant of the White House evoked “the transfer of power following the 2020 elections, the considerable reduction in violence and the pursuit of reforms by President Évariste Ndayishimiye in multiple sectors”, to justify his decision.
Since the 2020 elections, the EU has acknowledged the progress made by the Burundian government with respect to human rights, good governance and the rule of law, as well as commitments taken in its roadmap (‘feuille de route’) towards further improvements in those areas. Additionally, large numbers of refugees have voluntarily returned to Burundi, and cooperation with the international community and with neighboring countries has been revitalized, reads the press release.
Persisting challenges remain in the areas of human rights, good governance, reconciliation, and the rule of law. Further progress would be beneficial for all Burundians, including through the implementation of the roadmap, in the framework of the ongoing EU-Burundi political dialogue.
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The EU, together with other international partners, is ready to support the ongoing efforts of the Burundian authorities to stabilize and consolidate democratic institutions, promote human rights, good governance, and the rule of law, and implement commitments taken in the roadmap towards further improvements in those areas.
President Ndayishimiye reacts
The President of the Republic Evariste Ndayishimiye welcomes the decision taken by the European Union to lift economic sanctions against Burundi and reaffirms the will of the Burundian Government to strengthen cooperation with all its partners.
On his Twitter accounts Burundi President tweeted:
I salute the wise decision of the European Union Flag of European Union and its Member States for having taken the step of lifting with immediate effect the economic sanctions against my country. Burundi is ready to cooperate with all partners. Together, anything is possible.
A crucial and promising step in the EU-Burundi relationship.
According to Amb. Claude Bochu, the head of the EU delegation in Burundi [ the lift of restrictions] is a crucial and promising step in the EU-Burundi relationship. Salute to all who are engaged in the concerted journey towards normalization and warming.
East African Community congratulates Burundi
In a tweet, the Secretary-General of EAC congratulated the People and Government of Burundi and thank EU Council for lifting current restrictions on financial support to the administration of Burundi.
“We salute the efforts and leadership demonstrated by President Evariste Ndayishimiye in strengthening the EAC” he added
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