Tension in Burundi concerns UN

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza. File picture: Pierre Andrieu

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza. File picture: Pierre Andrieu

Published Apr 9, 2014

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New York -

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday expressed concern over ongoing tension in Burundi as the country prepares for 2015 elections.

Nigeria's UN envoy Joy Ogwu, the current president of the council, spoke to reporters after being briefed by Jeffrey Feltman, the UN under-secretary for political affairs, concerning “violent activities of the youth wings among the political parties”.

“We all expressed our concern over continuous tensions in Burundi as the country approaches the 2015 elections,” Ogwu said.

The Security Council “reiterated our call for an inclusive dialogue” based on the Arusha Accords.

Burundi has been embroiled in a political crisis for several weeks after three Tutsi government ministers resigned from the Hutu-dominated government.

The walkout by the Uprona party members upsets a delicate power-sharing arrangement between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi communities, who are still struggling to reconcile after decades of conflict.

The crisis escalated after violent clashes between opposition militants and police in Bujumbura on March 8. - Sapa-AFP

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