EU reviews cooperation with Burundi after disputed polls

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union said Thursday it would begin reviewing its cooperation with Burundi in the wake of controversial presidential polls boycotted by the opposition over President Pierre Nkurunziza's refusal to refrain from seeking a third term.

Nkurunziza pushed ahead with presidential polls on Tuesday, even though they had been branded as illegitimate by the international community after sparking months of deadly violence that caused tens of thousands to flee the country.

Results from the vote are expected Friday, but Nkurunziza is seen as a shoo-in for a third consecutive term -- which the opposition says violates a constitutional two-term limit.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini reiterated a threat to impose sanctions on "those whose action have led to or are leading to acts of violence and repression, to the serious violations of human rights or hindering the quest for a political solution" to the crisis.

The EU would now also "begin preparatory works for consultations under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, in order to get the Burundi government to undertake the engagements which have been imposed on it to end the crisis," she said.

The Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the African Caribbean Pacific group of developing countries mainly concerns trade and political cooperation and also includes development aid.

Article 96 provides for consultations to be held over a maximum of 120 days if one party deems that the other is not respecting its pledges.

If the talks break down, "appropriate measures" can be taken, including the suspension of the cooperation deal.

East African leaders had called on Burundi to postpone its presidential polls by two weeks to July 30. They have also asked Uganda's president to take on a role as mediator in the crisis.

But "it appears that the progress in the implementation" of these measures has been lacking, said Mogherini, adding that "only the complete implementation of this decision would lead to credible and inclusive elections to be held in Burundi with representative results".

"By maintaining the election, the government had decided otherwise," said Mogherini.