UN calls for "restraint on all sides

The UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned recent rebel attacks in Burundi, urged their immediate cessation and called on all sides to exercise restraint. Current Security Council president, Ambassador Volodymy Kuchynksy of Ukraine, pointed in particular to the FNL's attacks on Bujumbura. "The timing of these attacks is of particular concern since they were launched during the meeting of the parties to the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement on Burundi," he said.

That meeting was convened by the Burundi peace facilitator, Nelson Mandela, on 25 February. The Council condemned the "deliberate targeting of the civilian population by the armed groups" and called on all parties to refrain from any further attacks or any military action that endangered the civilian population. It requested all parties to immediately engage in dialogue so as to allow an early cessation of hostilities, and to reach agreement on a permanent ceasefire.

The Council also called upon the parties to provide safe and unhindered access by humanitarian personnel to civilians displaced by the hostilities. It urged donors to support the effort to assist the people of Burundi, and to make good on pledges made at a meeting in Paris last year. UN agencies and NGOs are working to provide food, water and sanitation to those in need.