10 May 2010

UN / BURUNDI

The UN representative for Burundi Charles Petrie tells the Security Council that despite positive developments, the upcoming elections are taking place, “against a backdrop of violence and real human suffering that affected this country only a few years ago” which could rise again, “as results are announced or in the resolution of any subsequent election disputes.” UNTV

Posted at: May 10, 2010 12:53 pm

Duration: 01:48

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / BURUNDI
SOURCE: UNTV
TRT: 1.48
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ FRENCH/ NATS

DATELINE: 10 MAY 2009, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1.	Wide shot, exterior UN building

10 MAY 2009, NEW YORK CITY

2.	Wide shot, Security Council
3.	Med shot, delegates	
4.	SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Petrie, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi:
"This is a historic moment for Burundi and for the region. Marking the end of its transition in 2005, Burundi held elections that led to the installation of a democratically elected government. Now in 2010 Burundi is set to give an extraordinary example of political maturity. A country until recently embroiled in internal violence is now hopefully on the verge of demonstrating how one democratically elected government cedes place to another."
5.	Med shot, delegates
6.	SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Petrie, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi:
"Despite all of these positive developments to date, I would not pretend that significant challenges do not remain. I need hardly remind this Council that these elections are taking place against a backdrop of violence and real human suffering that affected this country only a few years ago. In my view the challenges ahead relate particularly to the tightness of the electoral calendar and to the management of tensions that may arise on the day of elections as results are announced or in the resolution of any subsequent election disputes."
7.	Med shot, delegates
8.	SOUNDBITE (French) Zacharie Gahutu, Permanent Representative of Burundi to the United Nations:
"The electoral cycle underway is the longest electoral marathon in the recent history of the country. It will last four months and in the meantime the socioeconomic engine must continue to be fed with fuel. This fuel, as we understand it, is the aid for development for the long term, and possible foreign investment in Burundi."
9.	Zoom out, Security Council

STORYLINE:

The new Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi, Charles Petrie, briefed the Security Council today (10 May) on the situation in Burundi, including the upcoming elections.

Petrie said that "this is a historic moment for Burundi and for the region" as the country is "set to give an extraordinary example of political maturity" by "demonstrating how one democratically elected government cedes place to another."

Burundi's 2005 elections returned the nation to democracy after a twelve-year civil war between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority.

As the 2010 elections approach, there has been growing concern about worsening security and limits to political freedom, including violence by youth groups.

Petrie warned that despite positive developments "significant challenges" remain, noting that elections are taking place "against a backdrop of violence and real human suffering that affected this country only a few years ago". He pointed out "the tightness of the electoral calendar" and "tensions that may arise on the day of elections as results are announced or in the resolution of any subsequent election disputes."

Burundian Ambassador, Zacharie Gahutu, noted that the four-month long electoral cycle underway is "the longest electoral marathon in the recent history of the country" and said that the country's "socio-economic engine must continue to be fed with fuel", namely through development aid  and foreign investment.

The 2010 polls will include elections for councillors in Burundi's 117 communes on 21 May. There is a presidential election on 28 June, a legislative poll on 23 July, and senators will be elected on 28 July. In September, Burundians will vote for heads of 2,639 "collines", the country's smallest administrative units.