Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to help ensure free, fair and credible elections in Burundi in 2015.

I continue to be concerned about rising political tensions and the closing of political space in Burundi ahead of May's elections. Together with the wider international community, we are working together to encourage Burundi to adhere to the March 2013 UN Roadmap and co-operate with the UN on electoral governance. During my visit to Burundi in April 2015, I highlighted our concerns about rising political tensions, including violence and intimidation by political youth groups, with President Nkurunzia. Robust, comprehensive international monitoring is required both for the elections and this current pre-election period.