UN chief: Burundi leader promises to release 2,000 prisoners

Image
AP Bujumbura (Burundi)
Last Updated : Feb 23 2016 | 5:43 PM IST
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said Burundi's president has promised to release 2,000 people detained during months of violent unrest.
Ban Ki-moon met with President Pierre Nkurunziza, following meetings the UN chief had with officials from the ruling party and the government, the opposition and civic groups in the Burundian capital.
Ban said the promise to release some prisoners is "an encouraging step" and urged Nkurunziza to take more measures to promote peace.
Ban and Nkurunziza spoke to reporters in a joint news conference today in Bujumbura.
Nkurunziza said he is ready to talk to his opponents and urged Ban "to persuade Rwanda to stop its aggression against Burundi."
Rwanda has denied allegations it is training and arming rebels opposed to Nkurunziza.
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First Published: Feb 23 2016 | 5:43 PM IST

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