Readout of the Secretary-General’s phone call with H.E. Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania

The Secretary-General called the President of Tanzania, H.E. Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, today.

Ahead of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit on 31 May, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for President Kikwete's leadership as Chair of the EAC in helping to address the political crisis in Burundi.

The Secretary-General noted that it was vital that Burundian stakeholders take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and create an enabling environment for credible legislative elections to take place.

The Secretary-General expressed hope that the consultative political dialogue will be resumed soon in Burundi and that the EAC Summit on 31 May would help chart a way forward.