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UN chief concerned over Burundi elections amid political, security turmoil

Xinhua, June 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon was concerned about the government of Burundi's insistence on going ahead with elections on June 29 despite the prevailing political and security environment, said a statement of his spokesperson released on Sunday.

"The International Facilitation Team in Bujumbura has been working hard to assist the Burundian parties to reach a consensus on the way forward for holding free, fair inclusive and peaceful elections. The Secretary-General deplores the intransigence of the parties that caused those important efforts to be inconclusive," said the statement.

The secretary-general emphasized the responsibility of the government of Burundi to ensure that elections take place in a secure environment and also to guarantee the safety and security of UN observers so that they can perform their mandated responsibilities free from intimidation or harassment, said the statement.

The secretary-general reiterated his appeal to all Burundian political leaders to consider the wider interest of the people of their country and to resolve political issues through dialogue in order to preserve peace and strengthen national reconciliation, said the statement.

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. Endite