Burundi: UN Chief welcomes launch of electoral monitoring mission

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the launch of the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi, which officially started its work on 1 January 2015 as mandated by Security Council resolution 2137 (2014).

The UN Electoral Observation Mission (also known by its French acronym MENUB) is headed by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mr. Cassam Uteem of Mauritius.

MENUB is mandated to follow and report on the presidential, parliamentary and local elections in Burundi that are scheduled between May and September 2015.

In a note released by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General noted that "peaceful and credible elections are critical for the people of Burundi". Mr. Ban also said he hoped that all Burundians will seize this opportunity to establish peace and stability in their country.