(Ecofin Agency) - The European Union (EU) is increasing its pressure on the regime of the Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose re-election for a very controversial third term has plunged the country into a spiral of violence. According to diplomatic sources, Brussels should adopt sanctions on 1 October against four close allies of Mr. Nkurunziza.

28 member states of the EU have already given their agreement in principle to these sanctions last week. They comprise a visa ban and the freezing of assets in the EU of four high-ranking officials occupying key posts in the field of security.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and the members of government do not figure among the four people affected by the sanctions because the Europeans wish to give dialogue with the Burundian regime a chance, according to a diplomat based in Brussels.

According to the Cotonou Agreement which governs cooperation between the EU and the countries of the ACP (African-Carribean-Pacific) zone, consultations could last 120 days when one of the parties considers that a country has not fulfilled its democratic commitments. These preliminary negotiations to suspension of European aid would be further complicated by sanctions against members of the government.

Leading donor to Burundi, the EU could use the suspension of its aid as a strong means of applying pressure during negotiations aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis shaking Burundi since the announcement, last April, of President Nkurunziza's candidature for a third term.

Considered as contrary to the Constitution and the Arusha Accords which put an end to the civil war in Burundi by the opposition, this candidature caused demonstrations stifled in blood and a failed coup d'Etat.

The EU regretted the conditions of Mr. Nkurunziza's re-election, and deemed that the results of the ballot were not representative.