(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW YORK, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations highlighted the need to involve peoples in the efforts to achieve economic development and political reforms.
Any government that seeks to modernize its society and lead it to a bright future has to work diligently to realize the aspirations of its people and involve them in the reform process, Bader Abdullah Al-Munayekh said in a UN Security Council session on the situation in Burundi.
He called for materializing the concepts of cooperation among all segments of the Burundian society, particularly the youth and women, and involve them in the decision-making process.
Al-Munayekh voiced hope that the Burundian government will be able to achieve positive outcomes from its plans for political reforms and economic development, which could in turn contribute to political and security stability.
Al-Munayekh expressed hope that these plans will be put into action, and the elections will be free, transparent and credible with a view to putting an end to the political tensions that began in 2015.
Stability in Burundi was greatly enhanced by the Government's announcement of elections, slated for 2020, and its intention of financing them with a 100 percent national budget, he noted, commending the launch of an inclusive national dialogue in the country.
The recent developments, including the last year referendum on the new constitution and the President Pierre Nkurunziza's stated intention not to seek re-election, restored stability remarkably in the Central African country compared with the previous two years, he pointed out.
In addition, cooperation among the government and international and regional organizations plays an important role in maintaining stability, he stressed.
Commending the African Union and the East African Community's efforts in this regard, he said these partners are playing an essential role in the national dialogue process based on the Arusha agreement.
The inter-Burundi dialogue is among the elements required for the return of economic stability, he said, welcoming Burundi's efforts to ensure fair elections by, among other things, establishing related national mechanisms.
Raising concerns about human rights violations, Al-Munayekh expressed hope that recent reports will be addressed in cooperation with the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Burundi Michel Kafando.
He called for more efforts to address the reports of forced disappearances, killings and intimidations, and bringing the culprits in justice as early as possible. (end) asf.gb
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