The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Chief of the United Nations Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (MENUB), Cassam Uteem, today held discussions with leaders of political parties, youth groups  affiliated with political parties and media representatives on ways to ensure that upcoming elections are peaceful and non violent.

The objective of the meeting was to exchange on a draft Charter on Non-violence for the 2015 elections to be signed in the coming days in Bujumbura the stakeholders of the f the electoral process. Participants in their majority praised the document and agreed to contribute with inputs. The signature is to take place during a meeting organized by the government with the MENUB support and opened to all stakeholders including political parties, youth, media, CENI, and CSOs.

The Special Envoy and Head of MENUB reminded the responsibility of all actors involved in the electoral process particularly political parties in ensuring elections are inclusive and held in peaceful environment.

“I do not want to see the country faces violence. We should take the commitment that we will not use violence at any stage of the process”, Mr. Uteem said. He also told participants that the Government of Burundi’s support to the document.