Security Council decries continued violence in Burundi

New York- US (PANA) -- The UN Security Council has restated its support for the Transitional Government in Burundi and told obstinate rebel groups that continued violence in the country was unjustifiable and unacceptable.
Council President, Jorge Eduardo Navarrete of Mexico said in a statement Thursday that implementation of the Burundi peace accord signed by the government and most of the rebel groups in Arusha, Tanzania in 2000, was being threatened by the fighting by rebels.
Under the peace agreement, a Transitional Government, comprising the government of President Pierre Buyoya and representatives of some rebel organisations, was inaugurated in Bujumbura late November.
The Council called on rebel groups to immediately lay down their arms and join the peace process.
It also urged the rebels to translate into action their recent commitment to consider being part of the peace process.
Commending those who helped the Burundians reach a peace accord, particularly former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and Tanzania, the UN body also noted the facilitation efforts by the President of Gabon and South African Deputy President.
The Council said another challenge facing the Burundi peace process was national reconstruction and economic recovery.
Stressing that achieving these goals required international support, the Council urged donor countries to honour their pledges of support to the country.
On another issue, the Council welcomed recent steps by Burundi and the DR Congo to normalise relations.
It urged Congo not to allow its territory be used for armed attacks on Burundi, while Burundi should proceed to withdraw its troops from Congo Burundi has been in a state of conflict since 1993 with the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups pitched against each other in struggle for power.