UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Sunday condemned the killing of Zedi Feruzi, leader of the opposition Union pour la paix et le développement (UPD) Zigamibanga party in Burundi.
Feruzi’s bodyguard was also killed during the incident.
In a statement in New York, Ban said the crime, as well as the despicable grenade attack on Bujumbura’s central market on Friday, which left two persons dead and many others injured, could trigger further violence.
The secretary-general urged the Burundian authorities to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
He extended his deepest sympathy to the families of those killed and wished quick recovery to the injured.
”These acts of violence constitute a stark reminder of the need for all Burundian political leaders to address the current political crisis with the highest sense of responsibility.
”The political leaders must place peace and national reconciliation above partisan interests,’’ he said.
Ban reiterated his call for calm and restraint in the embattled country.
He also called on the Burundian authorities to uphold the human rights of all Burundians, including the freedom of assembly, association and expression.
The secretary–general called on the government of that country to take concrete steps to prevent further political killings and violence.
He also called on the political parties in the dialogue not to be deterred by those seeking to prevent the creation of an environment conducive for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in Burundi.
He also called on political stakeholders in Burundi to pursue consultative political dialogue, facilitated by his Special Envoy, Said Djinnit, and representatives of the African Union.
The dialogue was also facilitated by the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
