The UN Integrated Office in Burundi

Mission Mandate

In May 2004, the UN deemed Burundi a threat to international peace and security and adopted Resolution 1545 which established the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB). Its mandate was to support and implement peace efforts undertaken by the Burundians. ONUB successfully completed its mandate in December 2006. It was succeeded by The United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), a special political mission to the government of Burundi for the establishment of sustained peace.  

The Misson's mandate includes:

• Promoting democratic governance;
• Disarming, demobilizing, and reinserting combatants into society;

Reforming the security sector;
• Protecting human rights and ensuring punishment for those who violate them;
• Encouraging women's participation in every aspect of society;
• Providing stability for free, fair, and peaceful elections; and
• Engaging the rebel group, Forces for National Liberation (FNL), in the political process.

In 2007, the Security Council handed responsibility for Burundi to the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to keep the country from lapsing back into conflict. The PBC coordinates the UN’s efforts in Burundi with those of the AU Mission in Burundi (AMIB) as the country transitions from post-conflict to longer term stabilization.

Background

In 1993, civil war broke out after the newly elected president was assassinated. Read more || Hide text

How This Affects American Interests

• Free and transparent elections in 2010. The PBC supports the democratic process in Burundi by trying to establish a free press. The United States funds USAID programs that improve media coverage and assist in voter education campaigns through workshops and publications. 
  
  
• Rebel groups join the peace process. The United States continues to nurture the fragile peace in Burundi through the UN's demobilization program. The UN has disarmed, demobilized, and reintegrated more than 30,000 rebel combatants, 5,000 of them FNL, and has confiscated and destroyed more than 1,300 weapons and 14,302 tons of ammunition.
  
  
• Improving governance. BINUB provides training to strengthen public administration and combat corruption thereby enhancing effectiveness in all sectors of government. BINUB also trains specialized police units to handle ehtics and misconduct issues and gender-based violence. The United States further strengthens Burundi's budding democracy and fragile peace through 18 programs where USAID partners with the UN and local NGOs to promote democracy, good governance, and conflict mitigation. 

Ongoing Challenges

• Poverty. More than 70 percent of Burundi’s population lives in poverty. As a consequence of the civil war, education levels are low and Burundi’s economy and infrastructure have been severely debilitated. The Burundian economy is recovering but remains vulnerable.
  
  
• Continued violence. Burundi is still suffering widespread violence and human rights violations, especially where rape is used as a weapon of war. In addition to gender-based violence, both government forces and rebel groups continue to rob, kill, abduct, and torture civilians. Although the FNL signed the peace agreement, some rogue members still have weapons which they use to threaten and intimidate.
  
  
• Police reform. Burundi’s police force had a long track record of ethical violations. A reform in 2005 established a new force which now stands at more than 23,000 officers, including former rebels. Stability in the region depends on Burundi's continuing to reform and legitimize its police force. 

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