Annan appeals for international support for Burundi’s reconstruction

A forum of key countries helping Burundi recover from years of civil war and violence met in Bujumbura, the capital today, and heard an appeal from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to work actively for lasting development in the small Central African country.

“There still remains much to do,” Mr. Annan said in a message to the Conference of the Partners of Burundi, set up by a regional summit last September attended by heads of State or government from Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Zambia and Ethiopia as well as senior officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the United States, United Kingdom, the African Union Commission and the European Commission.

“The Burundian people need all our support to consolidate the peace achieved with so much difficulty and establish solid foundations on which to build a better future,” he added, congratulating the country on last year’s democratic elections, an important landmark in its transition.

“In countries emerging from conflict like Burundi, reconstruction and development efforts are as vital as actions taken to re-establish and maintain peace and must therefore be addressed with the same attention and urgency on the part of the international community,” Mr. Annan declared.

While voicing his deep hope that Burundi’s partners “will reply massively” to the appeal launched by the Burundian Government, he also reminded the Burundian people of their obligation to embark firmly on the path of reconstruction and peace so as to benefit together from the dividends of peace.

“You may rest assured that the United Nations system, for its part, will continue to support these efforts and to work at your side for the wellbeing of the entire Burundian people,” he concluded.