PRESS STATEMENT ON BURUNDI BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on Burundi by Security CouncilPresident Munir Akram (Pakistan):

Members of the Security Council:

-- Welcome the positive developments which have taken place in Burundi and further encourage the political actors and armed groups in Burundi to opt for dialogue and to eschew violence;

-- Support the proposed Regional Summit and urge all Burundian parties to cooperate fully with the region and the Facilitation with a view to reaching agreement on all outstanding issues;

-- Urge Agathon Rwasa’s FNL to cease hostilities, to join immediately the peace process and to start negotiations with the transitional government;

-- Welcome the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi, and appeal to donor countries to make resources available for its deployment and sustainment;

-- Support the round-table conference planned for next month to mobilize financial resources for Burundi, and urge donors to respond generously;

-- Commend the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for their timely decision to release the second tranche of their respective post-conflict programmes for Burundi; and

-- Recognize the work done by the United Nations Office in Burundi in the framework of the peace process in that country. 

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