Secretary-General welcomes peaceful conduct of elections in most of Burundi

 

but condemns violence in some areas

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

While welcoming the peaceful conduct of communal elections in 124 of 129 communes in Burundi today, the Secretary-General condemns the violence that has disrupted the electoral process in Mpanda, Kabezi, Kanyosha, Muhata, and Mutimbuzi communes, in the provinces of Bujumbura rurale and Bubanza, resulting in civilian casualties, as well as the serious injury of a member of the South African contingent of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB).

The Secretary-General appeals to all Burundian parties to act in the spirit of the Arusha Agreement and to refrain from any actions that could derail the electoral transitional process.  The Secretary-General also expects that elections in these five communes will take place as soon as possible in a peaceful atmosphere.

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