David Martin, Member of the European Parliament, is appointed Head of the EU Election Observation Mission in Burundi by HR/VP Federica Mogherini

At the invitation of the Government of Burundi, the EU is to dispatch an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor parliamentary and local council elections in the country on 26 May and presidential elections on 26 June. This is the EU's third observation mission; since the end of the civil war it has accompanied Burundi every step of the way towards democratic consolidation.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice‑President of the European Commission, has appointed David Martin, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer.

'With his experience in the field of election observation, human rights and international relations, David Martin is well placed to guide the European observers in a difficult context of specific concern to me' said the High Representative. 'The situation in Burundi is critical. I hope that the conditions for transparent, inclusive and credible elections can, through dialogue, be swiftly restored. The EU Election Observation Mission will be there to help build confidence in the process if these conditions are met'.

For his part David Martin underlined that 'the elections pose major challenges for the country and the Great Lakes region. The EU Election Observation Mission in Burundi will work alongside other regional and international observers, including the UN (MENUB) and the African Union to support the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. Firstly, however, it is essential that the violence and intimidation cease as well as the restrictions on human rights defenders and the media that we have witnessed in recent days. We are hopeful that the resumption of political dialogue, as soon as possible, will allow credible, inclusive and non-violent elections to proceed'.

A core team of seven election experts has been based in Bujumbura since 24 April. If conditions are satisfactory, the EOM will, over the course of the next week, deploy an initial group of 20 long‑term observers who, after training in Bujumbura, will proceed to their area of responsibility in the country. In total, for the upcoming polls, the EUEOM will have more than 80 observers throughout Burundi from EU member states as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada.

EU election observation missions abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted by the UN in 2005 and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers. The mission is independent of any institutions of the EU or its Member States and is required to remain neutral and comply with the laws of Burundi.