Following Burundi’s Decision to Hold Presidential Election Despite Dialogue Suspension, Secretary-General Urges Authorities to Ensure Security

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

The Secretary-General takes note of the indefinite suspension of the inter-Burundian dialogue that started on 14 July under the facilitation of Uganda pursuant to the recommendations of the Summit of the East African Community of 6 July.  He commends the efforts of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and of the East African Community and calls on all organizations and Burundi’s partners to work together to help Burundians resolve their differences peacefully.

The Secretary-General notes that the suspension of the dialogue took place without agreement being reached on a range of issues that would have contributed to the creation of a climate conducive to the holding of credible and peaceful elections, as contained in the relevant recommendations of the East African Community and the African Union.

In this worrisome context, and following the decision of the Burundian Government to hold the presidential election on 21 July, the Secretary-General calls on the authorities to do all in their power to ensure security and a peaceful atmosphere during the election.  He further calls on all parties to refrain from any acts of violence that could compromise the stability of Burundi and the region.

The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal for the resumption of a frank dialogue among all parties and urges them to avoid undermining the progress achieved in building democracy since the signing of the Arusha Agreements.

The Secretary-General recalls that the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission, in accordance with its Security Council mandate, to observe the electoral process before, during and after the elections, continues to undertake this task and has deployed observers country-wide to that effect.  He calls on all parties to facilitate their work and calls, in particular, on the Government to ensure their security.