The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Michel Kafando on 12 September 2018 ended a week-long visit to Burundi, during which he held talks with representatives of the Government, political parties and the civil society, including women's rights groups, as well as representatives of the international community.

Discussions with the Foreign Minister were cordial and fruitful, and centred on relations between the United Nations and Burundi, and on the Government’s participation in the next round of the inter-Burundi dialogue led by the East African Community (EAC).

Mr Kafando also had separate meetings with leaders of the presidential majority known as the Forum of Political Parties, and their Opposition counterparts of the Amizero Y'Abarundi coalition. They discussed political developments, including prospects for the fifth round of the inter-Burundi dialogue. Both sides affirmed their determination to take part, with a view to reaching a consensus on the resolution of the crisis facing the country.

The Special Envoy also met with representatives of women's organizations with whom he discussed the participation of women and the civil society at large at the next round of the dialogue.

He also consulted with representatives of the international community, including the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Ambassadors accredited in Burundi, and Heads of Agencies of the United Nations system. Besides the inter-Burundian dialogue, they also discussed issues relating to the country’s social and economic development.

Mr Kafando said his discussions with all stakeholders in Burundi were frank and constructive. He encouraged political leaders to commit to reaching consensus on the way forward, and to take part in the next round of the inter-Burundian dialogue. He also urged the international community to continue to support development efforts in Burundi.

The Special Envoy left Bujumbura on Wednesday, 12 September 2018, bound for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for further consultations with the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi dialogue, Benjamin Mkapa.