UN envoy quits role mediating political crisis talks in Burundi
By Bloomberg
A United Nations special envoy quit his role helping mediate dialogue to end a political crisis in Burundi sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, a UN official said.
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region Said Djinnit will continue with his broader duties, Vladimir Monteiro, a spokesman with the East African nation’s UN mission, said by phone from the capital, Bujumbura, without giving further details.
Last week, Nkurunziza’s opponents said they sent Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon a petition urging him to replace Djinnit, accusing him of favoring the ruling party in talks.
At least 21 people have died and more than 550 have been injured in unrest in Burundi since Nkurunziza announced a re- election bid in late April. The opposition say his candidacy violates a two-term limit set out in peace accords that in 2005 brought an end to a 12-year civil war.
A UN press statement on Wednesday said Djinnit “takes note of the positions expressed a few days ago, on his role as facilitator by some Burundian parties.”
The presidential election will be held July 15, after a parliamentary vote on June 29, according to Nkurunziza’s office.
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