63rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers

"The situation in Burundi remains precarious though the recent developments do give some hope that if the political forces in the country rose beyond their narrow selfish interests and put those of their people first, a solution to the conflict is possible. We continue to see the role of the OAU as being facilitative. We are determined to continue, through our operations under the OAU Mission in Burundi, as well as through political consultations to urge the people of Burundi to strive to restore confidence and cast away the curse of violence which is now wrecking the country. Of course, as we emphasize the political option to resolve the conflict, we see it being inextricably linked to the role of the political forces in the country to move away from extremism and closer to dialogue and mutual accommodation." - Dr. Salim, February 26, 1996