EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   2004   2009   

Committee on Development

6.12.2007

REPORT

of the delegation of the Committee on Development to from 22 to 27 November 2007

Mr Alain Hutchinson (PES – Belgium), head of delegation Mr John Bowis (EPP-ED – United Kingdom) Mr Jürgen Schröder (EPP-ED – Germany) Mrs Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PES – France) Mr Ryszard Czarnecki (UEN – Poland)

CR\706152EN.doc PE398.535v02-00 EN EN Introduction

Following a request from the Development Committee for a fact-finding mission to Burundi to follow the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, the President of Parliament authorised the visit in a letter of 25 October 2007. With the help of the EC Delegation in Bujumbura, a detailed programme was prepared for the delegation which comprised the following members:  Mr Alain Hutchinson (PES – Belgium), head of delegation  Mr John Bowis (EPP-ED – United Kingdom)  Mr Jürgen Schröder (EPP-ED – Germany)  Mrs Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PES – France)  Mr Ryszard Czarnecki (UEN – Poland)

The members left Kigali immediately after the end of the JPA session and arrived in Bujumbura to a briefing and a full programme of visits and meetings. These included a number of project visits to refugee camps, nutrition and healthcare activities funded by the EU as well as areas affected by recent flood damage, both in the Bujumbura region and the central and border provinces in the east and north of the country. There were also a number of meetings with the authorities, including the President, Ministers, parliamentarians and representatives of civil society. A detailed programme is included in the annex.

This report, based on the findings gathered over the course of the mission, aims to present the main issues currently affecting the Republic of Burundi, in terms of political, economic, social, environmental and external affairs, as well as human rights, security and judicial matters. There is also an evaluation of the involvement of the EU both on the humanitarian level with the work of ECHO as well as the new actions proposed in the Country Strategy Paper and future programmes by the European Commission. Clear priority areas for assistance are the following:

 improving the security situation, in particular in regional conflict reduction and disarmament;  improving conditions for the worst off (especially refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)) in areas such as nutrition, education, housing, healthcare, hygiene and revenue-generating activities especially with regard to targets under the Millennium Development Goals;  improving good governance through developing institutional capacity in Parliament, ministries and local authorities as well as fighting corruption and developing human rights and civil liberties;  developing agriculture and environmental protection;  helping to develop infrastructure such as roads, energy and water supply.

The report concludes with a number of topical and practical recommendations for how the European Union, and the European Parliament in particular, can contribute to improving the livelihood of the Burundian people.

PE398.535v02-00 2/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN Political Situation Historical background

Since its independence in 1962, Burundi has faced a series of violent socio-political crises, where ethnic issues have played a growing role (massacres took place in 1965, 1972 and 1988). In October 1993 Burundi’s first democratically elected president (Melchior Ndayaye, a Hutu) was assassinated after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutus and Tutsis. More than 12 years of civil war followed, causing 200,000 – 300,000 victims, 400,000 Burundian refugees in neighbouring countries, and over 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Following the Arusha peace process (2000 – 2001), which set the basis for the national reconciliation, a landmark power-sharing agreement was painstakingly brokered in October 2003 with the main armed group, the CNDD-FDD (Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie – Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie; National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy), leading to peace in most of the country. A new Constitution, approved by 90 % of Burundians in a referendum, entered into force in March 2005 and the long-awaited elections were finally held in June and July 2005 (local and parliamentary, respectively), considered a success by the international community. In both, the former rebel group CNDD-FDD won resounding victories and the party leader, , became the second Hutu president democratically elected in the . After a promising start after the elections, the governance of Mr Nkurunziza deteriorated in mid-2006, with allegedly unjustified detentions and harassment of opposition members, allegations of human rights abuses and growing corruption scandals. The purge and detention in February this year of the former president of the CNDD-FDD, Hussein Radjabu, considered the hardline strategist within the party, led to an internal split which blocked the National Assembly for months and forced the president to agree a delicate power-sharing agreement with opposition members.  Government

On 14 November 2007 President Nkurunziza appointed a new Cabinet comprising 19 Ministers and 7 Deputy Ministers, following talks with the main opposition parties. Only eleven of the 26 members were part of the previous Cabinet and it now includes 8 women. This agreement paves the way for more political stability in Burundi since the former opposition parties are now all part of the government with only 23 CNDD-FDD members loyal to former leader Radjabu and 4 members of the CNDD on the opposition benches. A new government also means a period of adaptation for the new members and those dealing with new portfolios.

 Parliament

The Burundian Parliament is composed of the National Assembly with 118 members and the with 36. The Assembly has eight Standing Committees and has representation of 5 political parties. Under the Constitution it must have 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi members in addition to 3 from the Twa tribe. There is also a 30% quota for women. Both Houses suffer from an acute lack of infrastructure, equipment, logistics and documentation. There is also a need for training both of parliamentarians and staff to improve capacity and expertise. CR\706152EN.doc 3/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN  External relations

Relations with neighbouring countries are improving, with an agreement with Rwanda and Tanzania on the safe return of refugees, although there remains tension with the DRC whose conflict is forcing tens of thousands of Congolese refugees into already overstretched Burundi. The country is also assuming a role in the region as a potential coordinator and mediator, hosting the secretariat of the reincarnated International Conference of the Great Lakes Nations (CIPGL) and acting as a mediator within the East Africa Community. Furthermore, Burundi is a serious candidate for the next Presidency of the African Union.

There are good relations with a number of EU states on a bilateral basis who are increasing their funding for humanitarian and development assistance as the country becomes more stable. The generosity of China is more likely to be due to their need for Burundi as an ally in the UN context as well as being a useful conduit for exports from DRC through to Tanzanian ports.

 Security

Progress on negotiating a final peace deal with the remaining Hutu militia, Palipehutu-FNL, has been very slow despite the ceasefire agreed in September 2006, owing to the vested interests involved and the proximity of parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010. The rebel group currently numbers around 3000 people and it is a source of insecurity in Western regions and a considerable factor of destabilisation. The FNL are said to be responsible for an ongoing campaign of killings, rape, extortion and protection rackets, targeting NGOs and humanitarian projects. On 23 November they kidnapped two senior police officers holding them to ransom in exchange for the freeing of hundreds of FNL prisoners. This prompted a tough response from the Minister for Defence who threatened to launch a military offensive against the group. Clearly until the FNL cease their attacks, are disarmed and their combatants integrated in the social and political life of the country, they remain the greatest threat to internal security in Burundi.

Members of the Army (where ethnic integration has been a success) and Police forces are also accused of criminal acts against civilians and disarming certain elements in the police force is also seen as desirable. It is estimated that at least 100,000 arms are held illegally by individuals in Burundi, either by those with criminal intent or those who are waiting to be paid to give up their weapon. Disarmament is a clear priority in order to increase security and to cut the crime rate. However, it should also be noted that many crimes are perpetrated with non- conventional weapons (agricultural implements, knifes, etc.).

 Conclusion

As long as political stability endures in Burundi and the security situation improves, the climate for economic growth and social development will become more favourable. There is then a potential for the country to act as a buffer state between Anglophone and Francophone Africa, playing a mediating role in conflict settlement.

PE398.535v02-00 4/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN Economic Situation

ECONOMIC SITUATION

Main economic indicators, 2006 1 GDP (USD bn): 1.0 Real GDP growth (%) 5.1 GDP per capita (USD) 117 GDP per capita (USD at PPP) 682 Consumer price inflation (av; %) 2.8 Current account balance (USD m) -124.2 External debt (USD bn)2 1.3 Corruption rank3 131 (out of 179 countries) 'Ease of doing business' rank4 174 (out of 175 countries)

Burundi is a small, landlocked and extremely poor country, which has been racked by civil war. A regional economic embargo and international aid freeze against Burundi during the late 1990s inflicted further damage, prompting an increasingly opaque and interventionist approach to economic policy from the government.

Burundi is a predominantly rural and agricultural country, with few natural resources. Farming accounts for about 35% of recorded GDP but provides a livelihood for 90 % of the population, mainly through subsistence agriculture5. Commercial agricultural production, primarily of tea and coffee, contributes less than 5% of GDP but generates the majority of official export earnings. Burundi's small industrial sector, which consists mainly of agricultural processing and consumer products and has been stunted by war, sanctions, foreign exchange shortages and weak domestic demand, still contributes 20% of GDP. Until the early 2000s real GDP growth had been either low or negative for over a decade. However, as peace has slowly returned in the past few years, the economy has shown some signs of recovery: trade on Lake Tanganyika has resumed and the construction industry is picking up (particularly in Bujumbura). Real GDP growth in 2006 was estimated at 5 %. Apart from the rigid State interventionism and the consequences of 12 years of war, additional powerful factors continue to hamper Burundi's economy: predominantly subsistence agriculture with low levels of productivity, low levels of exports, delays in reform of the main exporting sector (coffee), and poorly developed secondary and tertiary sectors. Corruption is often identified as one of the biggest problems for investors and foreign agencies. In addition to major individual cases, such as the sale of the Falcon 50 Presidential Jet for a net loss of 2.5 million euros in Switzerland involving a former finance minister and currently under investigation by a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry, bribery and corruption are endemic throughout public and private sectors alike. It is estimated that it accounts for a total of 159 billion BUF (130

1 If not indicated otherwise, data from EIU, Country Report 2007 2 WB Global Development Finance (data for 2005) 3 TI (Transparency International) – 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index, 26 September 2007 4 World Bank – Doing Business : Economy rankings 5 Women are responsible for 70 % of agricultural production CR\706152EN.doc 5/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN million euros) since 2000, or around one third of the national budget. Bribes and kickbacks are common not only in the traditional areas such as customs and public tendering but increasingly in education, coffee and tea marketing and even humanitarian aid. This scourge is being fought by OLUCOME, a civil society organisation, with aid from abroad, which contributed to the adoption of an anti- corruption law in 2006. This has led to the formation of a Brigade and a Court to deal with cases. Although the law presents some problems and the procedure is slow, cases are now being brought and processed. One of the major shortcomings, however, is that senior officials and politicians are excluded, coming instead under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is negligible, and the country remains heavily dependent on foreign external aid. Recent estimates calculate the level of unemployment at 22%, although this does not include the significant informal economy. The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)6, drawn up by the Government in 2006 and which received the agreement of Bretton Woods institutions in early 2007, unsurprisingly identified poor governance, insecurity and conflict as the main obstacles to poverty reduction and growth, to which the document added "structural rigidities" in the economy, macroeconomic instability, the poor quality of social services, the large number of people living in vulnerable circumstances, the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and gender inequality. In light of this analysis, the PRSP proposes four "strategic axes" for reducing poverty: • improving governance and security: • promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth; • developing human capital; and • combating HIV/AIDS.

The government estimated the cost of the programme at US$1.6bn between 2007 and 2009. It was well received by the annual donors' roundtable conference in Bujumbura (May 24-25th), with donors pledging more than USD 650 million in aid over the next three years, of which USD 175 million has been allocated to budget support7. Significantly, China played a more important role than in the past, cancelling debt worth USD 28 million and they are also building a new higher educational establishment at Bujumbura University.

Burundi’s external debt was USD 1.3 billion at the end of 20058, with a debt servicing of USD 39 million. According to reports by IMF and World Bank Burundi is qualified to benefit from the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) debt-relief initiative.

6 CSLP in French (Cadre Stratégique de Lutte contre la Pauvreté) 7 To see EU contribution, see below under The role of the EU 8 World Bank, Global Development Finance PE398.535v02-00 6/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN Social Situation

 Refugees and IDPs OCHA estimates that there are still about 160 sites in Burundi accommodating 116,000 IDPs. A large number of IDPs still farm their land during the day but for reasons of security go back to the camps to spend the night. IDPs who return to live to their place of origin need housing. Burundian refugees living abroad in 2006 are estimated by the UNHCR at nearly 400,000. One of the main obstacles to the return of IDPs and refugees, apart from the security situation, is the land issue (return of land and property rights). A new land commission was announced in 2006 but has not yet begun work. Burundi also plays host to over 30,000 refugees and asylum-seekers (29,500 from DRC, 455 from Rwanda). With the continuing conflict in the Kivu province of the RDC, this figure is set to increase. The EU is now providing 10 million euros for the UNHCR and UNICEF over the next two years to improve housing, education and healthcare in the refugee camps.

 Education

When elected in 2005 the President made a promise of free primary education for all. In the absence of any additional funding this has been difficult to achieve. The main problem facing the education sector in Burundi is a lack of teaching staff, all the way through to higher education. Many qualified teachers remain abroad in the huge Burundian Diaspora, both in Europe and in neighbouring countries. Poor salaries, a lack of resources and class sizes of up to 200, rotating twice a day, make it difficult to tempt them to return. There is a clear need for major financial assistance in order to improve education in the country.

 Healthcare

The healthcare sector is characterised by a lack of infrastructure and resources, poor salaries and many doctors and nurses working abroad, or even for NGOs within the country and it is difficult to speak of a health system, even though children under five and pregnant women have free access to healthcare. Major issues in this area include AIDS/HIV, malaria, respiratory diseases and chronic malnutrition, access to healthcare facilities in rural areas, concentration of scarce medical resources, especially doctors, in urban areas and aid to victims of fistula and rape.

Agriculture and the Environment

The following issues should be addressed in this regard:  Climate change is already having a considerable impact on Burundi with poor harvests and serious floods usually affecting the most vulnerable groups, refugees and IDPs.  Serious deforestation has occurred during the years of civil war and trees are still being cut for cooking and heating. This has the effect of increasing landslides and flooding. There are new campaigns to replant, "six for one", but much remains to be done.

CR\706152EN.doc 7/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN  Coffee and tea remain the most important export crops but there is a need for improving yields, better processing equipment, quality control and marketing.  Overfishing in Lake Tanganyika has led to a serious depletion in fish stocks, much of it, ironically, through the small mesh size of mosquito nets, thousands of which were given to the local population to help fight malaria.

Human, Civil and Judicial Rights

In Burundi there is a strong civil society, in particular ILEKA9 (Burundi League for Human Rights), which is extremely active in spite of pressure from the authorities. The main issues they address are:  observation at all polling stations during elections  role of ombudsman, offering legal assistance to individuals  reporting on crimes, abuse and infringements: 1. Crimes and abuse committed by Army and Police 2. Crimes and abuse committed by PALIPEHUTU-FNL 3. Infanticide and abandoned children 4. Torture 5. Prison Overcrowding and political prisoners 6. Reform of the Criminal Justice system 7. Crimes against freedom of expression, opinion and association 8. Land Ownership 9. Corruption 10. Healthcare and Education 11. Social Security 12. Domestic violence 13. Rape against women and children 14. Cultural Rights

There are widespread problems in all of the above areas, with alarming statistics showing increases in offences in many over the last years.

The role of the EU

ECHO and humanitarian assistance

During the civil war years, Burundi has consistently received humanitarian assistance, and it continues to rank as a highly vulnerable country with considerable humanitarian needs. The UN-OCHA 2007 Consolidated Appeal for Burundi, launched in January 2007, estimated needs at USD 131.6 million. The European Commission allocated EUR 15 million in 2007 to cover humanitarian needs in Burundi10. Chronic malnutrition affects 41 % of the population and over 16 % of the population is entirely dependent on food aid. Refugees abroad, IDPs and returnees constitute particularly vulnerable groups of the population, with specific humanitarian needs.

9 ILEKA report 2006 10 Humanitarian Aid for vulnerable population groups in the Republic of Burundi, 2007 Global Plan, DG ECHO PE398.535v02-00 8/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN The Country Strategy Paper and future development actions

At the end of the Ninth EDF the total amount allocated to Burundi, allowing for transfer of the residual amounts from the previous EDFs, was EUR 264.3 million. As matters stand, all of the sums have been committed, but the most significant development projects (to the sum of EUR 154.4 million) are only now getting off the ground.

Areas of concentration of the Ninth EDF

Rural development and rehabilitation EUR 67.75 m (Post-Conflict Rural Development Project) Launched in August 2007 Good governance EUR 19.75 m (Rule of law; transparent and equitable management of public Launched in February affairs; decentralisation and population census) 2007 Budgetary support (and debt reduction) EUR 46.92 m

Transitional support programme for healthcare services in EUR 5.08 m Burundi (PATSBU) Project terminated

The programming strategy for the Tenth EDF (in preparation) will, therefore, consist essentially in assisting Burundi in its stabilisation and reconstruction process, with the PRSP as reference document.

It will be structured around two main areas – rehabilitation in the countryside (a priority for economic development and a factor of regional integration), and healthcare (a priority for the PRSP and the MDGs). o Tenth EDF, envelope A, EUR 188 000 000 (indicative amount) This envelope will cover the long-term programmable development operations under the strategy, and in particular:

Area/sectors Indicative amount (EUR m) – % of total Rehabilitation and rural development 52 27.7 Health 25 13.3 General budgetary support 90 47.9 Other 21 11.2

TOTAL – envelope A 188.00 100.00 o Tenth EDF, envelope B, EUR 24 100 000 This envelope will cover unforeseen needs, such as emergency aid where it cannot be financed from the Community budget, contributions to internationally adopted debt reduction initiatives, and support for action to reduce the adverse effects of unstable export revenues.

CR\706152EN.doc 9/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN Recommendations for future action for Burundi involving the European Parliament

 to promote the consolidation of peace through an all inclusive political dialogue, the reinforcement of mediation efforts and society-accepted transitional justice acceptable to Burundian society. Lasting peace and security can only be achieved via a political solution that needs to take the FNL into account; the EP should call on EU Member States and on the international community to put pressure on the FNL, so that they clearly present their conditions for laying down their arms and joining the political process; the EU also has a role to play in promoting transparent and fair negotiations and in supporting the parties during the transition period, particularly by promoting general disarmament and the social and political integration of FNL combatants; the EP considers that there is no time to waste and that a balanced solution must be found before the 2010 elections which could include ministers in the government, and observers in the Senate and the National Assembly until the next elections;

 to address regional security problems; security in Burundi is also closely related to the overall security in the region; the delegation is especially concerned with the situation in Kivu (Eastern Congo) that is already leading to an increased number of Congolese refugees in Burundi; therefore, the delegation considers that the visit to the Eastern DRC, already agreed by DEVE Coordinators, should take place as soon as possible and preferably before the end of February 2008 in order to allow for a quick follow-up;

 to promote the regional role of Burundi, namely as a mediator in regional conflicts; regional integration is a crucial matter for this landlocked and small country and it will have not only political, but also social and economic positive consequences; in this regard the EP will be particularly attentive to the EPA negotiations (according to estimates from 2004, Burundi stands to lose 12 billion FBU (around 9 million euros) in revenues);

 to support cooperation with the Burundian Parliament (both the National Assembly and the Senate) and capacity building in terms of training, staff and available infrastructures, equipment and materials; Parliaments are a fundamental part of any democratic system – Parliaments represent the people and have power of scrutiny and they need to be fully associated in the decision-making process; the CSP on Burundi constitutes a good opportunity to intensify exchanges among Parliamentarians – EP Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians from Burundi can work together on this document, which will not only contribute to improving the EU development and cooperation policy for Burundi, but also allow for an exchange of information and working methods among the Parliamentarians;

 to promote permanent contacts with local authorities and civil society to reinforce their role in society; the delegation proposes to organize a programme of cooperation between each of the 129 'communes' of Burundi and 129 local authorities in the EU;

PE398.535v02-00 10/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN  to insist that humanitarian aid is still necessary for Burundi, where a state of emergency persists and the security of humanitarian workers remains an issue; even though the current post-conflict transition period will allow for a sustainable development process and a more predictable and continued fight against poverty, the urgent needs of the country are still massive and require humanitarian intervention; such intervention does not prevent ECHO from starting to elaborate an adequate exit strategy; it is also planned that the Seruka Centre run by 'MSF Belgique', which receives and assists adult and child victims of rape, will close and there is no other structure to help these people;

 to stress the need for development assistance to Burundi, targeted at the needs of the poor and oriented to meeting the MDGs and the eradication of poverty; Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world and yet it is one where ODA per capita is the lowest; besides it is a country that is still in a state of fragility and where adequate aid should be made available in a fast, efficient and effective way;

 to monitor closely the general budget support (GBS) foreseen under the 10th EDF (90 million euros out of 188 million, i.e. 47.9% of envelope A); GBS must meet the eligibility criteria under the Cotonou Agreement and it must be accompanied by a strengthening of the country's audit capacities and of parliamentary scrutiny; Burundi still has huge problems of corruption and, in this sense, the choice of so much GBS raises concerns;

 to underline that urgent action is needed in the field of health and education; despite efforts from the government, the situation in the health and education sectors remains very serious; there are far too few healthcare workers and healthcare infrastructure is grossly inadequate; primary teachers face two oversized classes a day; in order to provide enough healthcare workers in the public system in Burundi and to meet the challenge of quality of basic education, sustainable long term aid is necessary – there is a Burundian Diaspora that would be ready to return if working conditions improved and their living conditions became acceptable; the EU should help create conditions to allow for a possible return to take place;

 to stress that the problem of refugees needs to be carefully addressed; living conditions in camps are very unsatisfactory and the EU should support efforts to improve housing, education and healthcare facilities for refugees; further action is needed regarding the reintegration of Burundian returnees from Tanzania, some of whom have lost their ties to the country and there remains much to be done in terms of resettlement of IDPs;

 to underline, finally, that the EU has now a crucial role in this country and it should keep its promises, especially at a time when the implementation of most of the development projects is only just beginning.

Francis Cole Brussels, 6 December 2007

CR\706152EN.doc 11/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN Annex 1

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Delegation of the Development Committee to Burundi

22 – 27 November 2007

Final programme

Thursday 22 November

16.25 Arrival at Bujumbura airport on flight WB 109 from Kigali and transfer to Hotel: Club du Lac Tanganyika

18.00 – 19.30 Briefing with Head of EC Delegation in Burundi, Mr.Alain Darthenucq, at Commission Delegation Office

Friday 23 November

09.00 Meeting with Permanent Secretary Mr. Jean Rigi, Ministry of External Relations and International Cooperation

10.00 Meeting with Dr. Emmanuel Gikoro, Minister for Public Health and the Fight against AIDS

11.30 Meeting with Mr. Gilbert Girukwishaka and Mr. Jean-Paul Burafuta, OLUCOME, Observatory for the Fight against Corruption and Bribery

14.30 Departure for Gatumba

15.00 – 16.30 Visit to ECHO-funded Nutrition Project, Gatumba (GVC Italy)

17.00 Visit to border with DRC

18.00 Meeting with Mr. Gervais Rufykiri, President of Senate and other senators, Mr Antoine Ntwari, Mr. William Munyembabazi

19.00 Dinner hosted by Senate, Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika

Saturday 24 November

7.30 Departure from Bujumbura

10.30 Visit of Handicap International Project, Gitega

12.30 Lunch at Cercle de Gitega Restaurant

PE398.535v02-00 12/14 CR\706152EN.doc EN 14.00 Departure for Ruyigi

15.30 Visit of ACF ECHO-funded nutrition project, Ruyigi

16.30 Visit of Maison Shalom rehabilitation centre in Ruyigi, including new clinic and public health centre (Belgium, Luxembourg funded)

19.00 Dinner and night at Maison Shalom in Ruyigi

Sunday 25 November

08.00 Departure from Ruyigi

11.00 Visit of refugee camp for Burundian returnees from Tanzania, Kinazi (German Red Cross, UNICEF and ECHO)

13.00 Visit of refugee camp for Congolese refugees from Kivu conflict in Musasa (HCR, Norwegian Refugee Council and ECHO)

14.30 Departure from Musasa

17.30 Arrival in Bujumbura (city closed after 17.30)

19.00 Cocktail hosted by EP delegation for EU and Burundi dignitaries

21.00 Departure of Mrs. Carlotti

Monday 26 November

08.00 Departure from hotel

08.30 Meeting with Representatives of National Assembly:  Mrs Alice Nzomukunda, Deputy Speaker  Mr Jean-Marie Ngendahayo, Chairman Political, Adminstrative and Foreign Affairs Comittee  Mr. Pierre-Claver Nahimana, Chairman Agriculture and Environment Committee  Mr. Sylvestre Bikorindagara, Deputy Chairman, Good Governance and Privatisation Committee, Deputy Chairman of Committee of Enquiry into Sale of Falcon 50 Presidential Jet  Dr. Benoit Ndabashika, Deputy Chairman, Committee on Social Affairs, Repatriation, Equality of Opportunity and the Fight against AIDS, Rapporteur on Falcon 50  Mr. Jean-Claude Nduwimana, Chairman Defence and Security Committee Senate: Mr Pascal Musoro, Deputy Chairman of Committee on Social Affairs, Health, Education, Sport, Youth and Culture

10.30 Meeting with Dr. Saidi Kibeya, Minister for Education and Research, Ministry of Education

CR\706152EN.doc 13/14 PE398.535v02-00 EN 11.30 Meeting with Dr. , First Vice-

12.00 Meeting with EU Ambassadors and representatives (EC, France, Belgium, Germany, UK and Netherlands)

15.45 Departure of Mr Bowis and Mr Schröder

15.00 Visit together with local and national politicians to Buterere, Kamenge, Gihosha, Ngagara and Kinama, areas of extreme poverty in Bujumbura hit by flooding

18.00 Return to hotel

Tuesday 27 November

09.00 Audience with H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic

10.30 Meeting with Mr. Valentin Tapsoba, representative of UNHCR

11.45 Meeting with Mrs. Chantal Niyokindi, Mr. Jean-Pierre Kisamare and Mr. Joseph Mujiji, ITEKA, Burundi Human and Civil Rights League

16.50 Departure of remainder of delegation on flight WB 110

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