UNITED NATIONS: On the eve of highly-charged elections, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the government of Burundi to ensure that voting takes place in a secure environment.

After months of turmoil, Ban had on Friday urged Burundi to delay the vote after the opposition announced a boycott, but the government rejected his appeal.

The UN chief said in a statement that he was “concerned about the government of Burundi’s insistence on going ahead with elections on June 29 despite the prevailing political and security environment.

“He “emphasises the responsibility of the government of Burundi to ensure that elections take place in a secure environment” and to ensure the safety of UN observers.

Parliamentary and local elections set to be held on Monday will be followed by a presidential vote on July 15.

Ban appealed to all sides to refrain from violence after three people were killed overnight on Saturday, adding to the more than 70 killed in weeks of violence.

Burundi was plunged into turmoil in late April when President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his drive for a third consecutive five-year term, triggering widespread protests.

The European Union has warned that it might impose sanctions on those responsible for pre-election violence and consider other steps against Burundi, which depends heavily on foreign aid.

Government and opposition groups failed last week to agree on a proposal to postpone both elections, already delayed once after April’s violence, until July 30.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2015

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