Russia to Go on Helping Burundi Under New President

As United Nations Security Council permanent member, Russia is determined to go on promoting political improvement in Burundi. The country needs a many-year crisis settled as soon as possible for lasting social peace and accord, says the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs press and information department.

Domitien Ndayezeye, a Hutu, officially received presidential authority, April 30, from Pierre Buyoya, acting head of state, and a Tutsi. The presidential inauguration complied with previous understandings, which principal ethnic political organisations made with dynamic international mediation. The arrangement envisages a three-year transition period to settle the long and sanguinary internal conflict in that East African country. Once the pledge is met, the parties are making a stride toward normalisation to reinstate stability in the entire Tanganyika area, says the ministry.

Russia hopes the 18 months in which the new president will be in office will see further consistent efforts to make prerequisites for democratic presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections. All forces in the country must be dynamic and constructive on the peace cause, comply with available understandings, and work for a national dialogue to bring accord on problems hitherto unsettled, stresses Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.