Burundi

Against a backdrop of political tensions and a calm but volatile security situation in Burundi, heightened attention was needed to prevent the country from reversing hard-won gains, the Secretary?

Describing efforts by the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, its Chair, Jrg Lauber (Switzerland), said one quarter of Burundians were food insecure, while those in need of humanitarian assistance had tripled in the last three years.

After months of turmoil, Ban had on Friday urged Burundi to delay the vote after the opposition announced a boycott, but the government rejected his appeal.

He "emphasizes the responsibility of the government of Burundi to ensure that elections take place in a secure environment" and to ensure the safety of UN observers.

WASHINGTION -- One year after the plane crash that killed their president and unleashed genocide in neighboring Rwanda, Burundi mourners gathered at the Regina Mundi Cathedral in the capital city of Bujumbura April 6 to pray for peace.

This dilemma is at the top of the agenda of the Burundi people, regional governments and relief agencies alike as they seek to halt the spiraling of ethnic strife between Burundi's majority Hutus and minority Tutsis.

Commending the Bank for its support, President Nkurunziza told his visitors that Burundis priorities were to increase power generation and mining production and to develop the agro-industry and tourism.

President Oramah said that following the visit, the Bank would send a technical team to develop tailor-made financing solutions to support Burundis key growth sectors as part of a country programme which would also look into deploying Afreximbanks guarantee products to generate investments.

Opposition leaders argue that Nkurunzizas bid for another five-year term violates the terms of the Arusha accord that ended Burundis 13-year civil war in 2006.

The UN Security Council will hold closed-door talks on Wednesday on the crisis in Burundi after an opposition leader was gunned down at the weekend.