UN chief condemns assassination of Burundi's former army chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday condemned the assassination of Burundi's former army chief of staff, reiterating his calls to all Burundians resume an inclusive dialogue without delay.

Burundi's former Army Chief of Staff Colonel Jean Bikomagu was shot dead outside his home in the capital Bujumbura on Saturday. Bikomagu once led the armed forces during the country's civil war.

Ban said he is troubled by the trend of politically-motivated violence in Burundi, while reiterating his calls to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay to peacefully settle their differences, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.

"He welcomes the government's decision to carry out investigations, and arrests and trials of the perpetrators behind the recent killings," said the statement.

"He also reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support the efforts aimed at consolidating peace and stability in Burundi," it added.

Earlier this month, Burundi witnessed two high-profile assassinations. The attempted assassination of prominent human rights defender Pierre Claver Mbonimpa came one day after the killing of Adolphe Nshimirimana, former Burundian intelligence chief.

In light of recent assassinations, the UN Human Rights Office said Friday that the situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate, with at least 96 people killed, mostly among the opposition, since the beginning of election-related violence in late April.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza won his third term in a controversial presidential election in late July as candidate of the ruling party, amid months of unrest sparked by his reelection bid. The opposition said his re-election was illegal as it violated the constitution that sets a two-term limit for presidency.