|
EU condemns fresh fighting in Burundi
2008-04-28 09:31:21
By Guardian Reporter
The European Union (EU) has condemned ``in strongest terms`` attacks and ensuing fighting that took place mid this month in the Burundian capital of Bunjumbura and also in Kayanza province. It has called on the authorities to end the hostilities.
A declaration statement issued by the EU presidency, which was channeled through the French embassy in Dar es Salaam, said the body had learned with dismay about the fighting.
The attacks took place on April 17, this year in the immediate vicinity of Bujumbura and in Kayanza province.
``The European Union deplores the attacks and urges all parties, first and foremost the Palipehutu FNL, to call an immediate halt to the hostilities, which are endangering the civilian population and the peace process as a whole,`` read the statement, in part.
The EU urgently called for the resumption of dialogue as the sole means of making progress towards peace and reconciliation, which is a fundamental expectation of the Burundian people.
``And here the EU calls on the Palipehutu FNL to resume work as soon as possible in the joint verification and monitoring mechanism for the ceasefire agreement of 7 September 2006,`` read the statement.
The EU reaffirmed its support for South African facilitation and for the regional initiative and remains resolved, as part of the political directorate, to play an active part in removing obstacles to implementation of the action plan adopted in Cape Town in February this year and to assist in all efforts to reactivate negotiations and consolidate peace in Burundi.
According to the EU statement, the candidate countries of the EU namely, Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia align themselves with the declaration.
|
