The U.N. Security Council on Friday approved a peacekeeping force of 5,650 troops for Burundi to help the African nation finally end a 10-year civil war. The U.N. force will take over from 2,700 African Union peacekeepers now in the country, and will likely incorporate the bulk of the troops from South Africa, Ethiopia and Mozambique.
| Bring out the mighty Uruguayans! |
The new mission, to be known as the United Nations Operation in Burundi, or ONUB, will also include a civilian staff to deal with graft, camp "girls" and selling of UN favors elections, human rights and administrative reforms. Peace deals were reached last year between Burundi's transitional government and three of the country's four rebel groups. But fighting between the army and the last rebel holdouts - the National Liberation Forces - has continued throughout the tiny central African nation of 6 million people. The resolution urges the National Liberation Forces to conclude a peace agreement with the transitional government "without delay with a view to a complete cessation of hostilities." Friday's resolution authorizes a broad-based peacekeeping operation for an initial six months starting June 1 but the council said it intends to renew the mission for further periods. The peacekeepers were given authority to monitor implementation of ceasefire agreements, investigate violations, carry out the disarmament and demobilization of combatants, and monitor the illegal flow of arms. They also were authorized to provide security for the return of refugees and for holding elections, especially legislative elections scheduled to take place before Oct. 31.
| No mention of whether they're allowed to defend themselves. |
Burundi's U.N. Ambassador Marc Nteturuye called the resolution "a crucial step" and expressed hope "it will reinforce the peace process by the United Nations and the international community." Nteturuye said he expects the African troops to become part of the U.N. force and be joined by soldiers from Pakistan and Nepal and additional troops from Mozambique. He said the United Nations is seeking additional French-speaking soldiers and police.
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