“The Members of the Security Council expressed their serious concern with the ongoing tensions and unrest in Burundi and stressed the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation among all Burundians to resolve the current crisis in a peaceful, transparent and inclusive manner,” the Council said in a statement Friday.
All parties must exercise restraint and avoid resorting to violence, including retaliatory attacks, the Council said, condemning recent violent clashes.
It also called for the swift return of the rule of law and the establishment of a “genuine dialogue” between all Burundians in order for peaceful and transparent elections to be held.
Pierre Nkurunziza assumed the position of Burundi’s president in 2005 after a 12-year civil war and was reelected for a second term in 2010, being the only candidate amid withdrawals and alleged fraud.
Opponents of the president have deemed his wish to serve a third term undemocratic and unconstitutional, while supporters argue that this would be in accordance with the law as Nkurunziza was elected by parliament rather than directly by voters in 2005.
