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

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, right, and Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza shake hands during a joint press conference in Bujumbura, Burundi. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. Ban is in Burundi to encourage dialogue between the government and its opponents amid violent unrest. (AP Photo) U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, right, and Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza shake hands during a joint press conference in Bujumbura, Burundi. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. Ban is in Burundi to encourage dialogue between the government and its opponents amid violent unrest. (AP Photo)

By Associated Press February 23, 2016 1 min read

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Burundi’s president is promising to release 2,000 people detained during months of violent unrest.

Ban Ki-moon met with President Pierre Nkurunziza on Tuesday, following meetings the U.N. 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 Tuesday 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.