Security Council urges end to hostilities

Members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday called on all parties to the conflict in Burundi to end hostilities “without delay”. In a statement read by the Council’s current chairman, Agam Hasmy of Malaysia, members stressed the importance of resuming development aid to the war-torn country. The Council released the statement after closed door consultations, which included an update from the UN Secretariat on the outcome of the Arusha summit and its follow-up. Members strongly supported the facilitation efforts of Nelson Mandela and urged the parties to engage seriously in the peace process. They also supported the idea of holding a donors’ conference which would facilitate the relaunching of the Burundian economy. On the humanitarian front, members expressed concern about the current situation and stressed the importance of ensuring access to the population in need, as well as safeguarding the security of aid workers. They also stressed the importance to dismantle all regroupment camps in the country.