Belgium suspends support for the Burundi elections and police cooperation

Belgian development cooperation had earmarked 4 million [euros] for the support of the Burundi elections. A first tranche of 2 million of this amount was already disbursed. Deputy Prime Minister De Croo believes that, in the current circumstances, the payment of the remaining 2 million cannot but be suspended.

The European electoral observation mission for Burundi (EU EOM), among other observers, stated at the end of last week that the conditions for free elections are currently not met.

Police cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands on the one hand, and the Burundian police force on the other, is also currently in operation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation De Croo is of the opinion that police cooperation should be suspended for the time being in the current circumstances. The Minister will contact his Dutch colleague on this issue. T

he police cooperation amounts to a total of 5 million euros, of which 3 million Belgian support and 2 million Dutch support. An amount of 3 million is currently outstanding.