28 April 2015 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has today condemned the outbreak of violence in Burundi following the nomination of President Pierre Nkurunziza as the presidential candidate of the country’s ruling party, and appealed to all Burundians to “safeguard the hard won gains” made in peace and democracy.

President Nkurunziza was nominated by the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party with 88 per cent of the vote. That decision sparked civil unrest, with thousands of people seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

“[Mr. Ban] calls on the Burundian authorities to conduct a prompt investigation into the deaths that occurred during the recent demonstrations so that those responsible are held accountable,” said a statement released from the Secretary-General’s spokesperson this morning.

According to the statement, the UN chief has dispatched his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit to Burundi for consultations with President Nkurunziza and other Government authorities, political party leaders and members of the diplomatic community.