Security Council urges swift appointment of mediator

The UN Security Council on Friday called for an end to violence in Burundi and the continuation of peace talks. In a statement, it said the Arusha process offered the best hope for peace and should be the “foundation for all party-talks leading to peace agreement”. It urged regional countries to act quickly to appoint a new mediation team, acceptable to all sides, to succeed the late Julius Nyerere. It also called on all parties to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and said it recognised the important role of all regional states, “particularly Tanzania which was host to thousands of Burundi refugees and home to the Julius Nyerere foundation”. The Council urged regional states to ensure the neutrality and civilian status of refugee camps and prevent their use by armed insurgents. It also called on the Burundi government to allow people in regroupment camps to go home.