SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AS GROUP PULLS OUT OF BURUNDI CEASEFIRE MECHANISM

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the recent withdrawal of Palipehutu-FNL from the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement signed by the Government of Burundi and the FNL in September 2006.  He urges the FNL to resume its participation in the JVMM without delay and calls on both parties to refrain from any actions that might lead to a resumption of hostilities.

The Secretary-General commends the efforts of the South African Facilitation, the Regional Peace Initiative on Burundi and the African Union aimed at bringing the Burundi peace process to a successful conclusion.  He has requested his Executive Representative for Burundi to continue to work closely with these regional partners to help restore dialogue between the parties, with a view to ensuring the expeditious implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement.

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For information media • not an official record