The European Union officially lifted, on Tuesday 25 October, the sanctions imposed in 2015 against three Burundians. They were accused of having committed acts of violence or of having prevented the search for a political solution, following the demonstrations that began after the announcement of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s candidacy for the presidential election. Among the beneficiaries of this lifting is the Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
In addition to the Prime Minister, Gervais Ndirakobuca, European sanctions are also raised for a former general, Léonard Ngendakumana, and a former deputy director general of the Burundian police, Godefroid Bizimana. On the other hand, they remain in force for Mathias Niyonzima, a former agent of the intelligence service, accused by the European Union of having participated in the training of the Imbonerakure militias, guilty of acts of violence during the crackdown on 2015 protests.
For the European Union, the Burundian government has given pledges and the situation has improved in the country, with for example the release of human rights defenders Germain Rukuki and Nestor Nibitanga.
” Since the 2020 elections, there have been positive developments, including the pardoning of over 5,000 prisoners, the lifting of media sanctions, and the return of over 60,000 Burundian refugees from abroad. However, we remain well aware that many challenges remain. We expect the authorities to quickly implement the commitments they have made to improve human rights “, develops Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs of the European Union.
The European Union also stresses that the conditions have not yet been met to resume budgetary aid with the authorities of Burundi.