               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2248 (2015)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                12 November 2015




               Resolution 2248 (2015)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7557th meeting, on
               12 November 2015

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling the statements of its President on Burundi, in particular the statements
               of 18 February 2015 (2015/6), of 26 June 2015 (2015/13) and of 28 October 2015
               (2015/18),
                     Expressing its deep concern about the ongoing escalation of insecurity and the
               continued rise in violence in Burundi, as well as the persisting political impasse in
               the country, marked by a lack of dialogue among Burundian stakeholders,
                    Stressing that the situation prevailing in Burundi has the potential to seriously
               undermine the significant gains achieved through the Arusha Agreement, with
               devastating consequences for Burundi and the region as a whole,
                     Stressing the primary responsibility of the Government of Burundi for
               ensuring security in its territory and protecting its populatio n with respect for the
               rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law, as applicable,
                      Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence,
               territorial integrity and unity of Burundi,
                     Strongly condemning the increased cases of human rights violations and
               abuses, including those involving extra-judicial killings, acts of torture and other
               cruel, inhuman and/or degrading treatment, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions,
               harassment and intimidation of human rights defend ers and journalists, and all
               violations and abuses of human rights committed in Burundi both by security forces
               and by militias and other illegal armed groups,
                     Underscoring its deep concerns on the prevalence of impunity, on the daily
               assassinations, on the restrictions on enjoyment of the freedom of expression,
               including for members of the press, and on the continued worsening of the
               humanitarian situation, marked by the more than 200 000 Burundian citizens
               seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, and commending the host countries for
               their efforts,
                    Strongly condemning all public statements, coming from in or outside of the
               country, that appear aimed at inciting violence or hatred towards different groups in
               Burundian society,

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                    Urging the Government of Burundi to bring to justice and hold accountable all
               those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and
               abuses of human rights, as applicable,
                     Recognizing the role and efforts of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
               to assess and report on the situation of human rights in Burundi,
                    Recalling that Burundi is a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International
               Criminal Court, and has undertaken obligations to fight impunity for crimes falling
               within the jurisdiction of the Court, and emphasizing that the International Criminal
               Court is complementary to national criminal jurisdictions,
                     Stressing the utmost importance of respecting the letter and the spirit of the
               Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement of 28 August 2000 which has helped to
               sustain a decade of peace in Burundi,
                    Reiterating its conviction that only a genuine and inclusive dialogue, based on
               respect for the Constitution and Arusha Agreement, would best enable the
               Burundian stakeholders to find a consensual solution to the crisis facing their
               country, preserve peace and consolidate democracy and the rule of law,
                     Stressing the urgency of convening an inter-Burundian dialogue in
               coordination with the Government of Burundi and all concerned and peaceful
               stakeholders, both who are in Burundi and those outside the country, in order to find
               a consensual and nationally owned solution to the current crisis, and taking note of
               the establishment of the National Commission for the inter -Burundian dialogue,
                     Calling for the reinforcement of the mediation efforts led by President Yoweri
               Museveni of Uganda on behalf of the East African Community (EAC) and as
               endorsed by the African Union, welcoming the visit recently undertaken by the
               representative of the Mediator in Bujumbura for consultations with the Government
               of Burundi and other stakeholders, and underlining the need to expedite the
               preparatory process of the dialogue, including the convening of a pre -dialogue
               consultation involving all relevant international facilitators, under the leadership of
               the Mediator, to ensure an adequate preparation of the inter-Burundian dialogue and
               its success,
                    Urging the Government of Burundi and other concerned stakeholders to
               extend full cooperation to the Mediator,
                    Welcoming the continued engagement of all concerned stakeholders, including
               the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, and encouraging the
               continued cooperation between the Government of Burundi and the Peacebuilding
               Commission,
                    Welcoming the statement of the African Union Peace and Security Council
               (PSC) on 17 October 2015, and the proposed next steps adopted on that occasion,
               and looking forward to their full implementation,
                     Welcoming the deployment of African Union human rights observers and
               military experts and urging the Government of Burundi and other stakeholders to
               provide them full cooperation in order to facilitate the implementation of their
               mandate,
                    Noting the decision of the African Union to impose targeted sanctions,
               including travel ban and asset freeze, against all the Burundian stakeholders whose


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           actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of violence and impede the
           search for a solution,
                 1.   Calls upon the Government of Burundi and all parties to reject any kind
           of violence and demands that all sides in Burundi refrain from any action that would
           threaten peace and stability in the country;
                 2.   Calls upon the Government of Burundi to respect, protect and guarantee
           all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in line with the country’s
           international obligations, and to adhere to the rule of law and undertake transparent
           accountability for acts of violence, and to cooperate fully with the Office of the
           High Commissioner in the fulfilment of its mandate;
                 3.   Urges the Government of Burundi to cooperate with the EAC-led, AU
           endorsed mediation to enable it to immediately convene an inclusive and genuine
           inter-Burundian dialogue involving all concerned and peaceful stakeholders, both
           those who are in Burundi and those outside the country, in order to find a
           consensual and nationally owned solution to the current crisis;
                4.   Expresses its full support to the mediation efforts led by President
           Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on behalf of the East African Community (EAC) and
           as endorsed by the African Union, and stresses the importance of close coordination
           between the region and relevant international facilitators;
                 5.   Welcomes the decision of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special
           Advisor on Conflict Prevention, including in Burundi, to work with the government
           of Burundi and other concerned stakeholders, as well as sub-regional, regional and
           other international partners, in support of an inclusive inter -Burundian dialogue and
           peaceful resolution of conflict and in support of national efforts to build and sustain
           peace;
                6.    Expresses its intention to consider additional measures against all
           Burundian actors whose actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of
           violence and impede the search for a peaceful solution;
                 7.    Stresses the importance of the Secretary-General following closely the
           situation in Burundi and invites him to deploy a team in Burundi to coordinate and
           work with the Government of Burundi, African Union and other partners to assess
           the situation and develop options to address political and security concerns;
                8.     Requests the Secretary-General to update the Security Council within 15
           days, including by presenting options on the future presence of the United Nations
           in Burundi, and then regularly on the situation in Burundi, in particular on security
           and on violations and abuses of human rights, and incitement to violence or hatred
           against different groups in Burundian society;
                 9.    Affirms the importance of United Nations and African Union contingency
           planning, to enable the international community to respond to any further
           deterioration of the situation;
                10.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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