UN chief Guterres calls for reconciliation in Burundi

UN chief Guterres calls for reconciliation in Burundi

What you need to know:

  • The east African nation has pushed for the UN Security Council to put an end to meetings, held every three months, on the situation in the crisis-wracked country, saying the move would help its image with partners and potential investors.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for reconciliation in Burundi where hopes of improved stability under President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who came to power earlier this year, appear have faded.

The east African nation has pushed for the UN Security Council to put an end to meetings, held every three months, on the situation in the crisis-wracked country, saying the move would help its image with partners and potential investors.

But Guterres said the current UN scrutiny should be maintained.

"The desire of Burundians for positive change is genuine and strong," he said.

"Critical elements that would ensure lasting peace and stability for Burundi remain outstanding, including the need for reconciliation, social cohesion and the opening and maintenance of the political space."

Guterres said talks should seek "common ground" on the UN's future involvement with the country.

Rights abuses

UN investigators said in September that rights abuses have continued under Ndayishimiye.

Burundi has been in crisis since 2015, when president Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a third term and was re-elected in a vote boycotted by most of the opposition.

He remained in power until elections in May this year handed the presidency to Ndayishimiye, his handpicked successor.

Nkurunziza suddenly died shortly after the vote.

At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 400,000 displaced in violence between April 2015 and May 2017 that the UN says was mostly carried out by state security forces.