US suspends Burundi electoral assistance

WASHINGTON: The United States said Friday it was suspending assistance for Burundi's elections because of the leader of the African nation's "continued efforts to violate" a peace accord.
The US State Department said it was placing on hold technical assistance to Burundi's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), as well as voter education activities by the commission.
America was taking the measure "in light of President Pierre Nkurunziza's continued efforts to violate the Arusha Agreement, seek a third term and press ahead with electoral dates absent the conditions necessary for credible elections."
The 2006 Arusha peace deal ended 13 years of civil war in the central African country.
US officials said the US government would consider reinstating help if Nkurunziza's government "takes concrete steps to improve the electoral environment and process."
Burundi has been plunged into violent turmoil since April when the president launched a drive to serve a third consecutive five-year term.
Burundi's ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council on Friday that elections will go ahead as planned on Monday despite a call from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a postponement.
Parliamentary elections are set to be held on Monday and a presidential vote follows on July 15 despite months of turmoil over the president's bid for a third term.
Additionally, the United States said it "strongly opposes" any actions by regional states that could further destabilise Burundi.
"We are prepared to take additional measures against those individuals responsible for – or complicit in – undermining democracy and the rule of law and promoting instability in Burundi," the State Department said. – AFP