Burundi (S/PV.7174)

Member States heard briefings on the situation in Burundi on 14 May 2014 (S/PV.7174). These briefings were given by Mr. Edourd Nduwimana, Minister of the Interior of Burundi, Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyana, Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the UN office in Burundi, and Mr. Paul Seger, Permanent Representative of Switzerland and Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding commission. The reports were largely concerned with BNUB’s process of transition to a United Nations country team.

Only two references were made in regards to women, peace, and security. The Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the United Nations office in Burundi informed the Council on its strong representation of women in political life. However, the SRSG did not provide any substantial information to support this observation. Burundi cited theirs and the international community’s focus on the socioeconomic development of women. This broad declaration was not tied back into the transition of responsibilities between BNUB and the UN country office in Burundi.

Briefers failed to provide substantial information regarding the promotion of women in political processes, the inclusion of women in combating the illicit weapons trade, nor the integration of a gender lens in the rule of law. This failure to reference women’s promotion and protection concerns in the transition of responsibilities from BNUB to the UN country office is telling to the lack of regard given to women in this political transition. Discussion of women remained relegated to insubstantial observations of the political sphere.