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UN chief hails Burundi's "inclusive dialogue" pledge

Xinhua, February 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Visiting United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged and hailed the Burundian president's commitment to engage in an inclusive dialogue.

"Yesterday (Monday) evening, I met political actors from the ruling party and the opposition, and they promised to engage in an inclusive dialogue. And President Nkurunziza also confirmed that he is engaged in an inclusive dialogue," said the UN chief after meeting with President Pierre Nkurunziza Tuesday.

According to Ban, Burundian political leaders must have the courage and the confidence to make a credible political process to ensure that citizens can live in peace and enjoy human rights.

"I welcome the decision by the president to withdraw some media bans, cancel arrest warrants and release political detainees," he said.

Ban called on all Burundian citizens and the country's partners to rehabilitate the country on the path of peace, development and reconciliation.

"This is the aspiration of Burundian people and that is the future they deserve. There is no time to waste," said Ban.

He indicated that a world humanitarian summit will take place in Istanbul, Turkey in May this year, stressing that the Burundian crisis will also be under discussion.

President Pierre Nkurunziza commended Ban's visit and the UN support to the east African nation.

"We requested the UN to support the ongoing inter-Burundian dialogue and to help us fight against terrorism," said Nkurunziza.

Ban's meeting with Nkurunziza ended his two-day visit in Burundi.

Burundi has been gripped in a crisis since April 2015 following the announcement of Nkurunziza for a third term in office.

The violence has already claimed more than 400 lives and forced more than 200,000 persons into exile in neighboring countries. Endit