(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon took note Thursday of the broadly peaceful conduct of polling in the Burundian presidential elections.
In a statement, Ban called on all parties to "continue to remain calm and immediately resume an inclusive political dialogue" in order to resolve their differences and address the challenges facing the country.
Moreover, the UN Chief reminded the Burundian authorities of their responsibility to guarantee and protect the safety and security of the civilian population and ensure an end to further acts of violence as well as accountability for any human rights violations committed.
He then called in his statement on the Burundian parties to "engage in good faith" in the political dialogue putting Burundi's national interests first and fully determined to implement the relevant outstanding provisions of the July 6, East African Community (EAC) summit outcome document, under the high-level facilitation of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
The United Nations remains committed to working closely with the EAC and African Union (AU) to help find a lasting solution in Burundi.
In this regard, the UN official welcomed the deployment of AU human rights observers and military experts aimed at helping prevent an escalation of violence and facilitating a peaceful resolution of the serious political crisis affecting Burundi.
On Tuesday, the US warned that the presidential vote in Burundi is not credible and that the government is "jeopardizing" its legitimacy if it presses ahead with it.
President Pierre Nkurunziza is running for a third term despite a limit of two terms in the constitution. (end) mao.tg
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