Activities of Secretary-General in Burundi, 21-23 February

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon flew on Sunday, 21 February, from New York to Bujumbura, Burundi.

Upon arrival in the country on Monday, the Secretary-General met with representatives of Burundi’s political parties, as well as of humanitarian and civil society organizations.  He encouraged all to engage in a credible and inclusive political dialogue.

On Tuesday, 23 February, the Secretary-General had a working breakfast with United Nations heads of agencies, funds and programmes to discuss the current situation in the country.

He then met with President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi at the Presidential Palace.  In a joint press conference, he said that there was only one way to end the crisis — through political dialogue.  He added that Burundi’s political leaders must be willing to summon the courage and confidence that would make a credible political process possible.

The Secretary-General then left Bujumbura for Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.