Following the declaration of General Évariste Ndayishimiye’s definitive victory in May’s elections in Burundi, the EU “acknowledges the announcement of the final results in the presidential and legislative elections for which Burundians turned out in large numbers”, and calls for “a calm atmosphere to be maintained”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday 9 June, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the EU “welcomes in this regard the statements made by political leaders and encourages them to highlight the unity of the Burundians and to act accordingly, in particular by promoting inclusiveness and respecting the fundamental rights of civil society, the media and the opposition”.
On behalf of the EU, Borrell said that “the intimidation of supporters of political parties must stop”.
He added that “the shortcomings reported by local observers” of the election, “particularly in terms of transparency and fairness”, need to be “remedied”.
“The election of Évariste Ndayishimiye and the peaceful transfer of power could open a new page in Burundi's history”, said the High Representative, adding that the EU is ready to contribute, in cooperation with regional and international partners. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)