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UN chief applauds progress in Burundi political dialogue

Xinhua, May 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday was encouraged by the ongoing political dialogue in Burundi and applauded the progress achieved so far, according to a statement of a UN spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General applauds the participants for the progress achieved so far in the discussions, especially on measures to reduce tensions and create propitious conditions for free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections," said the spokesperson.

The political dialogue in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, involves representatives of civil society, political parties, religious organizations and the government with the facilitation of Special Envoy Said Djinnit and representatives of the African Union, the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, said the spokesperson.

However, the secretary general was concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving refugees.

"He expresses appreciation to the neighboring countries for their hospitality to the refugees and urges the government of Burundi to create conditions for their return," said the spokesperson.

Burundi has been in turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced on April 25 that he will run for a third term, which is in defiance of the constitution that limits the president to two terms in office. He also rejected calls to delay the elections set for June.

The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that more than 105, 000 Burundians have sought refuge in Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo since March amid fears of pre- election violence.

The secretary general encouraged the stakeholders to pursue the ongoing dialogue with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement on all the issues they have identified, and reiterated the availability of the United Nations to accompany the people of Burundi and the region during this process, said the spokesperson. Endite