The European Union (EU) has suspended direct financial support for the Burundian government after concluding that it had not done enough in the search for a political solution to the conflict that has rocked the East African nation since April last year.
Burundi descended into chaos in April 2015 after President Pierre Nkuunziza announced that he would run for a controversial third term in office, one which he went on to win in the country’s July poll.
The European Council, the body which represents the 28 EU nations, said in a statement on Monday that it had concluded talks with Burundi and declared that commitments proposed by Bujumbura were insufficient to address EU’s concerns.
The EU funds about half of Burundi’s annual budget, and has imposed sanctions on officials close to President Nkurunziza.
Neven Mimica, the EU Commissioner for international cooperation and development, said that the EU remained committed to providing emergency assistance and was preparing projects to ensure basic services for the population, but without channelling resources through the government.
The EU decision will be reviewed at least twice a year.
