Burundi seeks replacement of UN envoy after crisis talks

Moroccan born British diplomat Jamal Benomar has been rejected by Burundi’s government.

Burundi’s president Pierre Nkurunziza, has asked out going UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to appoint an new envoy less than two weeks after the diplomat returned from crisis talks in Bujumbura.

Nkurunziza called on the incoming Secretary General Antonio Guterres together with Ban to begin consultations to choose a successor to Benomar.

However, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq indicated that there will be no search for a new envoy.

Benomar was appointed in November last year, following the resignation of the previous envoy, Said Djinnit in June last year, amid accusations he was biased in favour of Burundi’s government.

Burundi relations with the UN deteriorated after a UN report released in September revealed gross human rights violations in the country.

Burundi further went ahead to break off ties with the UN rights office while the parliament voted in October to leave the International Criminal Court, which is currently investigating serious crimes in the country.