First of all, Thank you.

Merci M. le President,
merci mesdames et messieurs les medias.

Je suis tres heureux de render visite officielle au Burundi. Je vous felicite pour votre leadership. I thank you again very much for all your very kind welcome.

For your question, Burundi has demonstrated great stride, significant stride in the democratization process. The communal election which was held last month was regarded as a fair and transparent, credible elections by the European Union monitors and international monitors, that I congratulate for such a democratic accomplishment.

Now, Burundi is setting a very good example as a country going toward a more democratic rules as well as a more participatory process. This is a very good beginning and I hope that you will build upon this already accomplished process.

Now you are going through a very crucial, important period - the electoral process for the presidential elections on June 28th. Normally in any democratic country, elections generate excitement and dynamism. Sometimes, it creates some controversies. I was told that thirteen opposition political parties have decided to boycott the presidential election. I sincerely hope and I urge all political parties, ruling party or opposition party, if there are any difference of opinion, or any allegations of fraud or harassment or intimidation in the process, those claims and allegations should be raised and brought up to the concerned institutional mechanisms and I sincerely hope that this electoral commission will review these allegations and claims. This is a democratic process in any country. This is what I would like to urge all the political parties. I have discussed with President [Pierre] Nkurunziza about how we can see the credible and fair and objective presidential election so that you can build upon more on this peace dividend. This is very important. This can show great example to many other countries who are striving towards a fuller democracy after getting out of this conflict.

My final comment, my message in a nutshell is that there may be some difference of opinion and that may be natural in any democratic society. So this kind of difference of opinions should be harmoniously resolved through a political dialogue, among the parties concerned. And if there are still dissatisfactions, then these should be addressed through existing institutional mechanisms. That is the basic principle of democracy.