IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF BURUNDI, COMMENDS ‘SPIRIT OF PEACE AND DIALOGUE’ OF COUNTRY’S PEOPLE

Security Council

5252^nd Meeting (PM)

IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

OF BURUNDI , COMMENDS ‘SPIRIT OF PEACE AND DIALOGUE’ OF COUNTRY’S PEOPLE

The Security Council this afternoon acknowledged the 19 August election of Pierre Nkurunziza as President of Burundi, which marked “the welcome final step of the transitional process”.

The conclusion of that transitional process represented an important milestone for the future of Burundi and the Great Lakes region of Africa, according to a Presidential Statement, read by Council President Kenzo Oshima ( Japan).

The Council called on all parties to respect the will of the Burundian people, the elected Government and the commitments agreed during the transitional process.  It encouraged the new authorities to continue on the course of stability and national reconciliation, and to promote social concord, reaffirming in that regard that it was essential to bring an end to the climate of impunity.

The Council further called upon all international partners of the country to remain committed and encouraged them to agree with the Burundian authorities on the most appropriate framework to coordinate their support to reforms currently under way and to the consolidation of peace.

The meeting began at 12:23 p.m. and adjourned at 12:27 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2005/41 reads, as follows:

“The Security Council acknowledged the election of Pierre Nkurunziza as President of the Republic of Burundi, on 19 August 2005.  This vote marks the welcome final step of the transitional process in Burundi.  The conclusion of this transitional process represents an important milestone for the future of Burundi as well as the Great Lakes region of Africa as a whole.

“The Security Council pays tribute to the spirit of peace and dialogue demonstrated by the Burundian people throughout the transitional period, and commends them for their encouraging participation in the electoral process.  The Council calls on all parties to respect the will of the Burundian people, the elected Government and the commitments agreed during the transitional process.  It encourages the new authorities to continue on the course of stability and national reconciliation and to promote social concord.  It reaffirms in this regard that it is essential to bring an end to the climate of impunity.

“The Security Council commends the critical contribution the Regional Initiative for peace in Burundi, the African Union and the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) made to the peace process.  It calls upon all international partners of Burundi, including the States of the Regional Initiative and the main donors, to remain committed, and encourages them to agree with the Burundian authorities on the most appropriate framework to coordinate their support to reforms currently under way and to the consolidation of peace.”

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For information media • not an official record