EU Lifts Sanctions Towards Burundi’s New PM

The European Union announced on Tuesday that it would lift sanctions against three Burundians, including Burundi’s new prime minister.

The move is the latest sign of warming ties between Burundi and the West under President Evaristo Ndaisimye, despite ongoing concerns over rights violations.

“Today the EU lifts individual sanctions against three of his, including the Prime Minister (Gervais Ndirakobuca),” said his EU representative in Burundi on his Twitter.

“The EU will continue to support development efforts and reforms being undertaken by Burundi.”
Ndirakobuca, a former rebel commander who has also served as head of the feared intelligence service and as security minister, was appointed prime minister by Ndayishimiye in early September.

The 2015 crisis erupted when former president Pierre Nkurunziza made a controversial bid for a third term, sparking protests.

Ndirakobuca at the time was among officials accused by Brussels and Washington of stoking violence against regime opponents.

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He was sanctioned by both the EU and the United States as well as several other European countries, with Brussels accusing him of “acts of violence, acts of repression and violations of international human rights law against protesters.”

The unrest led to the deaths of 1,200 people and sent 400,000 others fleeing the country, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, killings and enforced disappearances — and turned Burundi into an international pariah.

Ndayishimiye took power in June 2020 after his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza died of what the Burundian authorities said was heart failure although there was widespread speculation he had succumbed to Covid.

In February, both Brussels and Washington resumed aid flows to the landlocked nation after easing the 2015 sanctions, citing political progress under Ndayishimiye.

AFP

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