SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO NIGER CRISIS,

 

AS REFERENDUM ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT APPROACHES

 

The following statement was issued on Friday, 31 July, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is concerned by developments in Niger, where a referendum to endorse an amendment to the country’s Constitution is scheduled to take place on 4 August 2009 despite sharp differences among the country’s political stakeholders.  The Secretary-General reiterates his support for an inclusive process to resolve the current crisis peacefully and in conformity with the country’s democratic values.

The Secretary-General calls on the people of Niger to exercise utmost restraint and urges all parties to refrain from any form of violence.  The United Nations stands ready to support initiatives that would help resolve the current situation in a peaceful and sustainable manner.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record