2nd LD Writethru: UN Security Council calls for no violence as Burundi braces elections

The UN Security Council on Friday called upon all parties in Burundi to "refrain from any acts of violence and intimidation before, during, and after elections" in the country.

"The members of the Security Council stressed the need for the government and political opposition to refrain from any acts of violence and intimidation before, during, and after elections and to actively support the conditions for a peaceful, timely, credible and inclusive elections process," the 15-nation UN body said in a statement issued to the press here Friday night.

"In this regard, they condemned the March 15 assassination attempt against the wife of opposition leader Agathon Rwasa," the statement said. "They also expressed concern with the impact of this situation on the region, including reports of increased Burundian refugee flows into Rwanda by persons who cited a fear of violence."

Burundi is scheduled to hold communal and legislative elections on May 26 followed by presidential elections on June 26 and senatorial elections on Aug. 24.

One unique point of Burundi's 2015 elections is that the process will be monitored by UN electoral observers in conformity with a resolution of the Security Council.

The statement came after the council members met here Thursday to discuss the current situation in Burundi.

"They took note that the upcoming elections are an extremely sensitive issue that has the potential to spur violence and undermine the peace sustained for almost a decade in Burundi, in the spirit of the Arusha Agreement," it said.

"The Security Council called on all parties to prioritize the preservation of Burundi's fragile and hard-won peace," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council noted their intention to follow closely and to respond to any actions in Burundi that threaten the peace, security or stability of Burundi by actively facilitating violence, including by reportedly distributing weapons to youth groups," the statement said.

They took note of Burundian government officials' "stated commitment to hold free, credible, peaceful and transparent elections according to the electoral calendar and called on them to make good on this commitment."

They also recalled that during their March 13 visit to Burundi, many civil society organizations and members of the political opposition warned of the likelihood of elections-related violence should prudent actions not be taken or attempts to restrict political space continue and further recalled the necessity for all parties to abide by the non-violence charter of March 9, it said.

The statement urged "all parties to address any elections-related concerns peacefully."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concerns about violence in the run-up to Burundi's presidential election and urged the government to ensure the vote is free and fair, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Ban on Tuesday met with Burundi's Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana, said a UN press statement.

"(Ban) expressed his concern about the rising political tensions in the country and encouraged Burundians to resolve their political differences through dialogue and without resorting to violence," the press statement said. Endi