UN envoy calls for dialogue between political actors in Burundi ahead of polls
Xinhua, February 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
A UN envoy on Wednesday called for reinforced dialogue and trust between all political actors in Burundi ahead of the country's elections scheduled to start in May.
Cassam Uteem, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy and head of the UN Electoral Mission in Burundi, said the situation in the country demands constant consultation between the authorities and other parties after he met with heads of political parties, youth groups, civil society as well as media organizations this week.
The UN electoral observer mission tasked to watch a series of Burundian elections has started operation on Jan. 12. It will monitor five elections between May and September, including the presidential poll on June 26.
Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye, chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission of Burundi, said earlier that one of the major challenges for the elections is the over-reporting by media on tensions between youths affiliated to various political parties, something which is counter-productive to the electoral process. Endite