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1st LD: UN chief calls for calm, restraint in Burundi

Xinhua, June 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday reiterated his call for calm and restraint in Burundi as he remains concerned about a possible escalation of violence in the country.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ban called on Burundi authorities to ensure that the security forces avoid the use of excessive force in handling demonstrations, while noting that the UN Security Council "intends to consider various tools at its disposal to safeguard peace in Burundi."

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 25 when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his decision to run for a third term in office in the coming election, which is in defiance of the constitution that limits the president to two terms in office.

Burundi's Red Cross reported Wednesday that at least 21 people were killed and more than 500 were injured since the start of protests against Nkurunziza's decision.

Ban also encouraged Burundian stakeholders to resume the consultative political dialogue facilitated by his Special Envoy Said Djinnit, adding that he hopes the parties to the dialogue will implement, without delay, the confidence-building measures already agreed.

On Tuesday, Burundian government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said in a statement that a new schedule for Burundi's elections will be announced very soon. On the same day, protests resumed in the country's capital Bujumbura. Witnesses said the protesters were injured when policemen used live bullets to disperse them. Endite