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UN Security Council condemns recent attacks in Burundi

Xinhua, August 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned recent attacks in which General Adolphe Nshimirimana, who worked in the office of Burundian president, was killed and prominent human rights defender Pierre Claver Mbonimpa injured in separate incidents.

The 15-nation UN body said in a press statement that "there is no place for violence and the council members called on all actors to remain calm."

"The members of the Security Council expressed concern that the security situation in Burundi is deteriorating rapidly, following an electoral period marked by violence and reports of violations and abuses of human rights," the statement said.

The Security Council appealed to the government of Burundi and all political actors in the country to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay.

The statement also drew attention to regional organizations, affirming the Security Council's support for East African Community and the African Union. These regional organizations have also called for restraint and for Burundians to pursue a political resolution to the mounting crisis.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon slammed the attempted assassination of Mbonimpa, calling for a prompt probe into the incident.

This attack came one day after the killing of Nshimirimana, former Burundian intelligence chief.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza won his third term in a controversial presidential poll late July as candidate of the ruling party, amid months of unrest sparked by his bid.

The opposition says his re-election was illegal as it violated the constitution that sets a two-term limit for president.

However, the country's constitutional court ruled that the president's first term doesn't count as he was appointed by parliament not elected by people.

The UN Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (MENUB) last week said that while the July 21 election in Burundi was relatively peaceful and conducted adequately, the overall environment was "not conducive" for an inclusive, free and credible electoral process. Endite