Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the elections in Rwanda

The Secretary-General welcomes the news that the presidential elections in Rwanda –the first since the genocide of 1994 –were conducted in a generally peaceful manner with a high voter turnout, for which he commends the people of Rwanda. The Secretary-General considers this election an important step towards the establishment of a pluralistic multi-party democracy in Rwanda. He expresses the hope that the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month will further contribute to that process.