The Security Council adopted resolution 1959 mandated the new UN Office in Burundi (BNUB) to run for an initial 12-month period, starting on 1 January 2011, to support the Government in strengthening the independence, capacities and legal frameworks of key national institutions, in particular the judiciary and parliament; promoting dialogue between national actors; fighting impunity and protecting human rights.

The new office is the latest in a series of UN operations in a country where hundreds of thousands of people perished in largely ethnic fighting between Hutus and Tutsis even before it gained independence from Belgium in 1962. It will replace the current UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB).

The United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi was established by Security Council Resolution 1719 (2006) of 25 October 2006, to assist Burundian Government efforts towards peace and stability, through coherent and coordinated response of the UN system in Burundi under the chairmanship of the Executive Representative of the UN Secretary-General. 

BINUB is equally mandated to promote and protect women’s rights and ensure gender mainstreaming in keeping with UN Resolution 1325 (2000). Noting the progress made by Burundi towards consolidating peace and stability, as well as the remaining challenges, and welcoming in this regard the establishment of the, “Groupe de coordination des partenaires”, taking note of the briefing of the Chairman of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council by Resolution 1791 (2007) decided on 19 December 2007 to extend until 31 December 2008, the mandate of BINUB, as set out in resolution 1719 (2006). The Security Council equally encouraged BINUB and the Facilitation to expedite their consultations on a common approach to deal with the issue of alleged FNL dissidents, with appropriate international support. On 22 December 2008 the Council extended until 31 December 2009 the mandate of BINUB, as set out in resolutions 1719 (2006) and renewed in its resolution 1791 (2007). Security Council Resolution 1858,” Urge[d] the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL to make every effort to implement, before 31 December 2008, the agreements they reached on 4 December 2008 so as to bring this last phase of the peace process to a successful conclusion and call[ed] on both parties to desist from any action that may create tension or bring about the resumption of hostilities”.The resolution equally called on the “Government of Burundi to take the necessary measures to create an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2010 and welcomes the United Nations readiness to assist in the process”. 

The Security Council by Resolution 1902 (17th December 2009) extended for another year the United Nations political mission in Burundi, calling for full support for next year’s elections in the war-scarred African country while voicing concern at continuing human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, restrictions on civil liberties and political violence.

In a unanimous resolution, the 15-member body called on the Government to fight corruption and impunity, professionalize and enhance the capacity of the national security services and the police, and broaden the respect and protection of human rights. 

The UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), set up in 2006 to assist efforts towards peace and stability after decades of factional and ethnic fighting between Hutus and Tutsis killed hundreds of thousands of people.