Kuwait hopes for more political, security stability in Burundi

NEW YORK, June 15 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait expressed late Friday hopes for more political and security stability in the east African nation of Burundi.
Speaking to a UNSC session on the situation in Burundi, Kuwait Permanent Delegate to the UN headquarters in New York Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that the political situation in the African nation since the May 17, 2018 constitutional referendum seemed stable compared to the upheaval, which began in 2015.
The Kuwaiti diplomat hoped that the political progress would continue with the Presidential election of 2020, adding that all political parties would hopefully contribute to a fair and transparent election fulfilling the dreams of the people of Burundi.
The efforts carried out by the government of Burundi in preparations for the election and current President Pierre Nkurunziza's intention not to run in the future event are all good indications for progress in the political sphere, said Ambassador Al-Otaibi.
He also commended efforts by the UN, the African Union, and other regional and international organizations and state players in aiding the political stability of the country.
On the security level, despite violent incidents carried out some armed groups, the outlook seemed to be positive for Burundi, indicated Al-Otaibi, urging the government of Burundi to take advantage of the stable situation.
The Kuwaiti diplomat touched on the humanitarian and refugee situations in the eastern African country, saying though the situation has improved, there was a crucial need to solve problems facing people including the lack of food security and basic human rights to name a few.
In regards to economic and social development, Ambassador Al-Otaibi commended the Burundi government step taken on August 22, 2018 to launch a national development plan, stressing that it was important to implement the tenets of the plan to gain the fruits of development. (end) gta