Elections in Burundi must in the words of the UN special envoy for the East African nation be “dedramatized” and should offer space for people to freely choose their leaders.

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga made the remarks following the closing of the UN political office known as BNUB on Wednesday, which he was in charge of.

A day before, the Burundi army fought an unidentified rebel group near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC, according to media reports.

Inter-ethnic rivalry between Hutus and Tutsis has scarred the country's recent history.

Priscilla Lecomte spoke to Parfait Onanga-Anyanga about the impact of the UN’s departure from the country.

Duration: 2’33’’