UN Security Council calls for inter-Burundian dialogue to resolve crisis

The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for an inter-Burundian dialogue in order to find a nationally owned solution to the brewing crisis.

The council expressed its deep concern about the ongoing escalation of violence in Burundi, as well as "the persisting political impasse in the country, marked by a lack of dialogue among Burundian stakeholders," said the resolution.

While calling for an inter-Burundian dialogue, the council stressed the need to expedite the preparatory efforts of the dialogue, including the convening of a pre-dialogue consultation involving all relevant international facilitators to ensure an adequate preparation of the inter-Burundian dialogue and its success.

The continued worsening of humanitarian situation has forced more than 200 000 Burundian citizens to seek refuge in neighbouring countries so far.

Also on Thursday, Deputy UN Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini issued a joint statement on Burundi, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

They expressed alarm over a deep regional crisis, and pledged to work together to mobilise all the means and instruments to prevent a further deterioration of the situation, said Dujarric.

"They agreed on the urgency to convene a meeting of the Burundian government and opposition representatives in Addis Ababa, or Kampala under the chairmanship of President Museveni," Dujarric said.

Waves of violence persisted after the re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose announcement to seek a third term immediately stirred protests. The opposition and civil society groups opposed his candidature, arguing that the Arusha Agreement stipulated that a president serves for only two terms. Enditem