Ban Ki-moon condemns assassination of former Burundi minister

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination on Wednesday and further reiterated the need to intensify efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the crisis in Burundi.

He further called on all parties concerned to engage fully and in good faith in the peace process led by the East African Community.

“This despicable act of violence only serves to promote divisions, entrench mistrust, and destabilize the country,” said a statement issued this evening by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, in which the UN chief extended his deepest condolences to Ms. Mossi’s family.

Hafsa Mossi, a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party and a lawmaker in the regional East African Legislative Assembly “was shot dead by two criminals on board a car as she was leaving her home “ in Mutanga district, east of the capital, police spokesman said.

Amnesty International has also called for an independent inquiry into Mossi’s assassination. They said that her murder must be promptly, independently and impartially investigated, and those reasonably suspected of responsibility held to account in fair trials.

Hafsa Mossi, a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party and a lawmaker in the regional East African Legislative Assembly “was shot dead by two criminals on board a car as she was leaving her home “ in Mutanga district, east of the capital, police spokesman said.

She was laid to rest on Wednesday amid condemnations from her family and friends

Hafsa Mossi is the second major political figure to be killed since the beginning of Burundi’s political crisis.