Secretary-General Concerned by Burundi Political Crisis, Welcomes African Union Communiqué as ‘Clear Way Forward’ to Peaceful, Credible Elections

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

The Secretary-General continues to follow with concern the political crisis in Burundi, which threatens to undo more than a decade of work to consolidate peace and reconciliation in the country.  In this respect, he welcomes the communiqué of the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held on 13 June at the level of Heads of State and Government.  With the communiqué, the African Union provided a clear way forward towards peaceful and credible elections in Burundi.

The Secretary-General has requested his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily, to offer good offices in Burundi in support of regional efforts to reduce tensions and help Burundians peacefully settle their differences.  Special Representative Bathily will work closely with the African Union, the East African Community and the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region.  He will arrive in Bujumbura on Sunday, 21 June.

The Secretary-General wishes to express deep gratitude to his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, for his tireless efforts impartially facilitating the dialogue among Burundian stakeholders during May and June of this year.

As elections draw near, the Secretary-General calls on all Burundian political leaders to address the current political crisis with the highest sense of responsibility.  He urges them to resume political dialogue earnestly with a view to creating an environment conducive for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.