Inclusive Dialogue Key to Resolving Crisis in Burundi, Secretary-General Stresses, Commending Arusha Meetings, President’s Decision to Hold More

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the meetings of the political dialogue for Burundi held in Arusha from 21 to 24 May under the auspices of the Facilitator of the East African Community, Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania.  He commends Mr. Mkapa’s decision to convene further meetings including with those stakeholders who were not present in Arusha.

The Secretary-General stresses that a solution to the year-long political crisis in Burundi can only be found through an inclusive dialogue process that upholds the Constitution of Burundi, as well as the principles of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, of which the United Nations and the region are guarantors.

The Secretary-General fully supports regional efforts aimed at fostering a peaceful settlement to the crisis and reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to provide technical and substantive backing to the Facilitator, as mandated by Security Council resolution 2279 (2016).