United Nations Security Council Resolution 1040

RESOLUTION 1040 (1996) Adopted by the Security Council at its 3623rd meeting, on 29 January 1996

The Security Council,

Recalling the statement by its President of 5 January 1996 (S/PRST/1996/1),

Having considered the letters of the Secretary-General to the President of the Council dated 29 December 1995 (S/1995/1068) and 16 January 1996 (S/1996/36),

Deeply concerned at the continued deterioration in the situation in Burundi, and at the threat this poses to the stability of the region as a whole,

Condemning in the strongest terms those responsible for the increasing violence, including against refugees and international humanitarian personnel,

Underlining the importance it attaches to the continuation of humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Burundi,

Underlining also the responsibility of the authorities in Burundi for the security of international personnel and of refugees and displaced persons there,

Welcoming in this context the recent visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Burundi, at the request of the Secretary-General, and plans for the establishment of a standing mechanism of consultation on security issues between the Government of Burundi, the United Nations and non-governmental organization,

Stressing the paramount importance of, and imperative need for, all concerned in Burundi to pursue dialogue and national reconciliation, Stressing the importance it attaches to the continuation and intensification of efforts by the international community to avert a further worsening of the situation in Burundi, and to promote dialogue and national reconciliation there,

Noting with appreciation the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General and his staff, the Organization of African Unity and its military observers in Burundi, the European Union, and the facilitators appointed by the Cairo Conference of Heads of State of the Great Lakes Region held on 29 November 1995,

Reaffirming its support for the Convention of Government of 10 September 1994 (S/1995/190, annex), and for the institutions of Government established in line with it,

1. Demands that all concerned in Burundi exercise restraint and refrain from acts of violence;

2. Expresses its fullest support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and others, in support of the Convention of Government, to facilitate a comprehensive political dialogue with the objective of promoting national reconciliation, democracy, security and the rule of law in Burundi;

3. Calls upon all concerned in Burundi to participate in a positive spirit and without delay in such dialogue, and to support the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and others seeking to facilitate such dialogue;

4. Invites Member States and others concerned to cooperate in the identification and dismantling of radio stations which incite hatred and acts of violence in Burundi;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation as appropriate with the Organization of African Unity and with Member States concerned, to consider what further steps of a preventive nature may be necessary in order to avoid the situation deteriorating further, and to develop contingency plans as appropriate;

6. Welcomes the sending by the Secretary-General of a technical security mission to Burundi to examine ways to improve existing security arrangements for United Nations personnel and premises and the protection of humanitarian operations;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council closely informed, including on the technical security mission he has sent to Burundi, and to submit a full report to the Council by 20 February 1996 on the situation, covering the progress of his efforts to facilitate a comprehensive political dialogue and the actions undertaken pursuant to paragraph 5 above including contingency planning;

8. Declares its readiness in the light of that report and of developments in the situation:

(a) To consider the imposition of measures under the Charter of the United Nations, including a ban on the supply of all arms and related matériel to Burundi and travel restrictions and other measures against those leaders in Burundi who continue to encourage violence; and

(b) To consider what other steps may need to be taken;

9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.