New Burundian transitional government 'defining moment in history': Annan

Calling it a defining moment in the history of Burundi, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the inauguration of the country's transitional government as an event that demonstrated the ability of Africans to seek and find solutions to the continent's problems.

"The installation of the transitional government is a significant step forward," the Secretary-General said in a message marking the occasion. On Mr. Annan's behalf, the message was delivered in the capital, Bujumbura, by Berhanu Dinka, who is the Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region and Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee.

"All of us are hopeful that this will usher in a new era in which the country's governance is informed by Africa's traditional values of tolerance and solidarity, and based on a constitutional framework that will accommodate diversity, engender mutual trust, and guarantee durable peace with justice and security for all," Mr. Annan said. "All communities in Burundi must make a conscious, sustained commitment to live at peace with each other."

The Secretary-General congratulated President Pierre Buyoya and Vice-President Domitien Ndayizeye, and all the other members of the transitional institutions, wishing them "every success in the challenging days ahead." He also praised the Facilitator of the peace process, Madiba Nelson Mandela, the leaders of the region, and the Burundian parties, for their initiative and relentless efforts to make the day possible.

Noting that the people of Burundi have suffered immensely, Mr. Annan said alleviating their plight and moving the country towards reconstruction and development must now be the priority. He also pledged the UN's commitment to support the Government and people of Burundi in their ongoing quest for durable peace, recalling that just three days ago the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing efforts to support implementation of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement negotiated by Mr. Mandela and former Tanzanian President Julius K. Nyerere.

"The momentum generated by this occasion also offers an opportunity to address the principal outstanding issue - the ceasefire," Mr. Annan said, calling on the two armed groups to forsake violence and to join the peace process without further delay.