Topic: Situation in Burundi
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Oscar Luna
School: Instituto Educativo Olinca
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intensions of seeking reelection in April of 2015. Since then Burundi has lived a political instability. The opposition claimed that the reelection of Nkurunziza was illegal, due to the fact that the constitution of Burundi only allows two terms. Despite the accusations of the opposition Pierre Nkurunziza presented his candidacy arguing that in his first term he was elected by the parliament and not by popular vote, arguments that were accepted by the Supreme Court of Burundi. In spite of the decision of the Court many demonstrations of the people and the opposition were made against Nkurunziza´s candidacy. Many of this demonstration were repressed by the police.
On may 13 2015 a coup against the president Nkurunziza was orchestrated by a general of the Burundi's army, but after a day, the coup failed.
At the elections Nkurunziza won the reelection by a large margin, but the violence towards the opposition not only continue but (according to the International Federation of Human Rights,) increased so much that there is a risk of genocide.
Recently many armed groups had emerged throughout the country, for example FOREBU, a group of soldiers that participate in the Coup against the president or The National Liberation Front. This has caused that almost 400,000 refugees had fled the country causing instability in the region.
(POSITION)
The United Kindom as a democratic nation believes that every single country has the right to chose its own government, thus the United Kingdom recognizes the president Pierre Nkurunziza. However, the United Kingdom does not approve actions made by any country that violates the human rights of their people.
(PROPOSITIONS)
United Kingdom with the purpose of ending the problems in Burundi and to bring stability and peace to the region proposes:
•To give an ultimatum to the government of Burundi asking them to stop the persecution of political dissidents or they will face economical sanctions.
• To make a recommendation to the government to accept the military help of The African Union.
