UNSC decides to authorize deployment of peacekeeping operation in Burundi

Addis Ababa, May 23(ENA)-- The Chiarperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) welcomes the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council, on 21 May 2004, of resolution 1545 (2004), authorizing the deployment, for an initial period of six months as from 1 June 2004, of a peacekeeping operation in Burundi, entitled United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB).

"This decision, which comes at a critical juncture in the peace and reconciliation process in Burundi, will facilitate and sustain the ongoing efforts to bring to a definite end the conflict that has been ravaging the country for more than a decade now," an AU press release said.

The Chairperson of the commission pays tribute to the UN Secretariat-General and to the Security Council for their efforts and this timely resolution on Burundi, it said.

"AS ONUB prepares itself to take over the peacekeeping responsibilities from the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), the chairperson of the commission would like to express his profound appreciation for the excellent work done by AMIB, inspite of the very severe financial and logistical constraints the Mission was faced with," it said.

"The Chiarperson reiterates his gratitude to the Troop Contributing Countries (South Africa, Ethiopia, Mozambique), as well as to the countries that have provided military observers to the AU (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali, Togo, and Tunisia), for having responded to the call of the AU," it said.

AMIB is deployed in Burundi since 2 APril 2003.