SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES BURUNDI AS UN OPERATION CONCLUDES MANDATE,

REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HELP CONSOLIDATE PEACE

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General congratulates the people and Government of Burundi on the successful implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB), which concluded its activities on 31 December.  With the support of ONUB and other international partners, democratic national elections were held in Burundi, new integrated national defence and police forces were established and a ceasefire agreement was concluded between the Government of Burundi and the last armed group, Palipehutu-FNL.

The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to all civilian, military and police personnel who served with ONUB, as well as to the contributing countries.  He extends his gratitude to the leaders of the Regional Initiative for Peace in Burundi, the South African Facilitation of the Burundi Peace Process and the international community, who continue to play a major role in support of peace in the country.

The Secretary-General reaffirms the United Nations’ continued commitment to assisting the people and Government of Burundi, together with other partners, in efforts to overcome the many remaining challenges to the consolidation of peace.  In this regard, he welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), as well as the African Union Special Task Force in Burundi.  He hopes that the Government of Burundi will extend its full cooperation in ensuring the successful implementation of BINUB’s mandate.

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For information media • not an official record