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Having determined that the situation in Burundi continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region and acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council, by its resolution 1545 of 21 May 2004, decided to establish the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) in order to support and help to implement the efforts undertaken by Burundians to restore lasting peace and bring about national reconciliation, as provided under the Arusha Agreement.

The Mission was established with the following mandate, within its capacity and in the areas where its armed units are deployed, and in coordination with humanitarian and development communities:

  • to ensure the respect of ceasefire agreements, through monitoring their implementation and investigating their violations,

  • to promote the re-establishment of confidence between the Burundian forces present, monitor and provide security at their pre-disarmament assembly sites, collect and secure weapons and military materiel to dispose of it as appropriate, and contribute to the dismantling of militias as called for in the ceasefire agreements,

  • to carry out the disarmament and demobilization portions of the national programme of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants,

  • to monitor the quartering of the Armed Forces of Burundi and their heavy weapons, as well as the disarmament and demobilization of the elements that need to be disarmed and demobilized,

  • to monitor, to the extent possible, the illegal flow of arms across the national borders, including Lake Tanganyika, in cooperation with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and, as appropriate, with the group of experts referred to in paragraph 10 of resolution 1533,

  • to contribute to the creation of the necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance, and facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons,

  • to contribute to the successful completion of the electoral process stipulated in the Arusha Agreement, by ensuring a secure environment for free, transparent and peaceful elections to take place,

  • without prejudice to the responsibility of the transitional Government of Burundi, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence,

  • to ensure the protection of United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, as well as the security and freedom of movement of ONUB’s personnel, and to coordinate and conduct, as appropriate, mine action activities in support of its mandate.

The Council also decided that ONUB shall provide advice and assistance, within its capacity and subject to carrying the above tasks, to the transitional Government and authorities to contribute to their efforts:

  • to monitor Burundi 's borders, with special attention to refugees, as well as to movements of combatants, especially in the Cibitoké province,

  • to carry out institutional reforms as well as the constitution of the integrated national defence and internal security forces and, in particular, the training and monitoring of the police, while ensuring that they are democratic and fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms,

  • to proceed with electoral activities,

  • to complete implementation of the reform of the judiciary and correction system, in accordance with the Arusha Agreement,

  • to ensure, in close liaison with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the promotion and protection of human rights, with particular attention to women, children and vulnerable persons, and investigate human rights violations to put an end to impunity.

The Council further decided that ONUB shall cooperate with the Government and authorities of Burundi , as well as their international partners, to ensure the coherence of their work, in assistance to the Government and authorities of Burundi in:

  • extending State authority and utilities throughout the territory, including police and judicial institutions,

  • carrying out the national programme of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants and members of their families, including those coming from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in liaison with the Government of this country and MONUC, and with particular attention to the specific needs of women and children.

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