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STATEMENT: JOINT STATEMENT BY THE EAC, COMESA, ICGLR, AU AND UN ON THE SITUATION IN BU

STATEMENT

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE EAC, COMESA, ICGLR, AU AND UN ON THE SITUATION IN

BURUNDI ISSUED ON 24 MAY 2015 IN BUJUMBURA

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania: 25 May 2015: The Special

Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region, the East African

Community (EAC)/ Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Eminent

Persons, the High Level Delegation of the African Union (AU) to Burundi and the Executive

Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lake Region (ICGLR) are appalled by

the escalation of violence in Burundi that has led to many deaths, injuries and thousands of

refugees.

The envoy strongly condemns the despicable grenade attack on 22 May 2015 that killed eight

and injured forty people, as well as the assassination of Mr. Zedi Feruzi, a presidential

candidate of the Union for Peace and Development (UPD)-Zigamibanga Party and his body

guard on 23 May 2015.

They extend their deep condolences to the families of the bereaved and wish quick recovery to

those injured.

They call on Burundi authorities to swiftly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these

heinous crimes against civilians and political leaders.

They also call on the Government of Burundi to guarantee the security of all citizens, respect

their human rights and exercise restraint at all times and in particular while handling

demonstrations.

They further urge civil society, political parties and demonstrators to act responsibly within the

law. They appeal for calm and urge all parties to make all efforts to avoid leading the country to

a deeper crisis with far-reaching consequences on peace and security in the region.

They recall that the political dialogue involving the Government, political parties, civil society

and religious representatives that started on 05 May 2015 continues with a view to ease...