Burundi: Ban condemns assassination of senior army officer amid ‘troubling’ political violence

Refugees from Burundi in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Photo: OCHA/Naomi Frerotte
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination Burundi’s former Army Chief of Staff, Colonel Jean Bikomagu, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in the capital, Bujumbura, on 15 August, the second killing of a senior official in the crisis-torn country this month.

“[The Secretary-General] is troubled by the trend of politically-motivated violence in Burundi. He welcomes the Government’s decision to carry out investigations, and arrests and trials of the perpetrators behind the recent killings,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.

The Secretary-General, the statement added, reiterated his calls to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay to peacefully settle their differences, as well as the commitment of the UN to support the efforts aimed at consolidating peace and stability in their country.

On 2 August, another officer, General Adolphe Nshimirimana, was killed by a rocket attack.

ENDS