Dita Charanzová, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr President, Burundians are living in a state of fear. Security forces and youth party members have been killing, raping, abducting, torturing and intimidating anyone they believe to be opponents.

While the President has finally stated that he will not run for another term, what happened in the run-up to this referendum cannot be forgotten. A government that allows these atrocities to be committed, against real or perceived opponents, has no legitimacy to represent the citizens. A referendum that takes place in such conditions cannot be considered to represent the will of the people. If the Government is truly to show good intentions, it must resume cooperation, in full, with the UN Commission of Inquiry and allow for an independent investigation into all the abuses committed. Talks must be resumed between the Opposition and Government as a matter of urgency, and the EU should actively support this.