Security Council extends UN mission in Burundi

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday renewed the UN peacekeeping mission in Burundi for six more months until June 1 and reiterated its strongcondemnation of the massacre of 152 Congolese in that country thissummer.

In the unanimously adopted Resolution 1577, the council urged all governments and parties concerned to denounce violence and incitement, condemn violations of human rights, and actively cooperate with efforts aimed at ending impunity.

On Aug. 13, 152 Congolese were killed at the Gatumba camp in Burundi.

In a report to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that extensive investigation has yielded no clear evidence of who organized and carried out the massacre.

But the council said it was deeply troubled by the fact that a faction of the Burundi's rebel group Palipehutu-FNL had claimed responsibility for the Gatumba massacre.

The council also indicated to take measures against those who threaten peace and national reconciliation in Burundi.

A 5,525-strong UN mission was established in May to help Burundi restore peace and promote national reconciliation.

The council had requested the mission, along with the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to continue to assist local authorities to investigate the massacre and to strengthening the security of vulnerable persons.

Source: Xinhua