PRESS CONFERENCE BY Secretary-General’s acting special representative for burundi

Briefing correspondents at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon, Nureldin Satti, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi, said the situation in that country was improving in a significant manner, but added that there were major challenges still to be addressed.

Mr. Satti said that was the thrust of the message he delivered to the members of the Security Council earlier in the day, when he briefed that body on the work of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB).  He had informed the Council of the progress achieved in Burundi, which now had an elected Government that was embarking on major reforms in the political, judicial, socio-economic and security sectors.

At the same time, he cautioned that the political situation, despite the progress made, remained volatile.  Also, it was necessary to better address the relations between the majority party -- Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD)/Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (FDD) -- and opposition parties.  It was also necessary to assist the Government of Burundi to achieve the security sector reform begun last year.  He had yet to see “a consistent and all-embracing plan” for the reform of the army, the police and the security forces.

Noting that putting a final end to the armed struggle in Burundi was extremely important, he highlighted the fact that the Government had just signed an agreement on principles for sustainable peace and security in Burundi with the Palipehutu-Forces nationales de libération (FNL).  Negotiations were continuing in Dar es Salaam to finalize that agreement and transform it into a comprehensive peace agreement.  There were some problems in that finalization process, he acknowledged, with the FNL having second thoughts about some of the issues that had been agreed.  He was confident that both the Government and the FNL remained committed to signing a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.

The Secretary-General, he added, had recommended to the Council the establishment of an integrated United Nations office in Burundi, following the departure of ONUB, as of 1 January.  The details of the structure and resources for the office would be presented to the Council following further consultations with the Government.

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For information media • not an official record