Secretary-General welcomes ‘positive development’ in Burundi peace process,

As delegation of palipehutu-fnl arrives in capital

 

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

The Secretary-General has been informed of the arrival in Bujumbura of a delegation of the Palipehutu-FNL, accompanied by members of the Facilitation and Political Directorate of the Burundi peace process.  The Secretary-General welcomes this positive development.  He strongly urges the Palipehutu-FNL to engage in good faith in the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and Political Directorate.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the ongoing fighting and the suffering it has inflicted on the population.  He calls on the Government and the Palipehutu-FNL to immediately cease military action and to take measures to build confidence in, and support, the peace process.

The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation to the leaders of the Regional Peace Initiative for Burundi and to the South African Facilitation for their tireless efforts.

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For information media • not an official record