The Special Envoy of the Secretary General today concluded a weeklong visit to Bujumbura, during which he met with Heads of UN agencies operating in Burundi.

Mr Michel Kafando’s visit came against the backdrop of preparations for a Summit of East African leaders which, among other pressing issues in the region, is expected to discuss the stalemate in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.

The Office of the Special Envoy (OSESG-B) provides technical and substantive support to the peace talks aimed at resolving the political conflict in Burundi dating back to the 2015 presidential election in the country. The Government of Burundi was absent from the 5^th round of the dialogue that was held in Arusha, Tanzania in October last year.

The talks hold under the aegis of the East African Community (EAC). A report on the stalemate submitted by the Facilitator, former President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, is expected to be reviewed at the EAC Summit billed for 1 February 2019.

While in Bujumbura Mr Kafando also granted audience to a British delegation led by that country’s Ambassador to Burundi, Mme Jo Lomas.  Their discussion centred on the political and security situation in Burundi ahead of next year’s general elections in the country.

From Bujumbura the Special Envoy travelled to Kampala on 28 January 2019 to consult further with President Yoweri Museveni, who is current EAC Chairman and Mediator in the crisis in Burundi.