Secretary-General Stresses Peaceful, Credible Elections Critical for Burundi’s Stability, as United Nations Electoral Observation Mission Commences Work

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

The Secretary-General is pleased that the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (to be known by the French acronym of MENUB) officially started work on 1 January as mandated by Security Council resolution 2137 (2014).  MENUB is headed by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Cassam Uteem of Mauritius, and will follow and report on the presidential, parliamentary and local elections that are scheduled between May and September 2015.

The Secretary General notes that peaceful and credible elections are critical for the people of Burundi, and hopes that all Burundians will seize this opportunity to consolidate peace and stability in their country.