BUJUMBURA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian government on Monday evening said it welcomed the decision taken by the United Nations (UN) Security Council of removing Burundi from its political agenda.
The UN Security Council on Friday ended mandatory of reporting on the central African nation and encouraged its international partners to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
"Burundi has received, with joy, the noble decision taken by the UN Security Council of withdrawing Burundi from its political agenda," government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye said in a statement at the National Radio and Television of Burundi.
Ntahorwamiye called the decision "historic" and said UN "has finally acknowledged" significant progress in various sectors made by Burundi.
The government of Burundi has stated on many occasions that Burundi no longer poses a threat to regional peace and security, and therefore should not stay on the Security Council's agenda.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye reiterated the request during his speech at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly earlier this year.
The small landlocked country plunged into crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye's predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third-term bid, which he ultimately won in July 2015. His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Since April 2015, 300,000 Burundians fled to neighboring countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Enditem
