AU deeply concerned about Burundi situation
African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is deeply concerned at the escalation of violence in Burundi, illustrated by Friday’s attacks on military camps in the capital Bujumbura, and in the Bujumbura rural area, as well as by the subsequent acts of violence, the AU said on Saturday.
“The chairperson of the commission reiterates the AU’s rejection of any recourse to violence and its strong condemnation of violations of human rights,” the AU said in a statement.
“In this respect, she notes, with dismay and horror, the loss of many human lives and the reports on the summary execution of a number of people, whose bodies were recovered today [Saturday]. She recalls that the AU, working with the larger international community, will spare no efforts in ensuring that the perpetrators of atrocities and those behind them are held accountable for their acts.”
Dlamini-Zuma stressed, once again, that the situation in Burundi carried with it the risk of generalised violence with devastating consequences, both for the country itself and the entire region.
She reiterated the AU’s conviction on the need and urgency of a truly inclusive inter-Burundian dialogue, based on the respect of the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, as the only way to resolve the serious crisis facing Burundi.
“Against this backdrop, she reiterates the AU’s support to the mediation efforts of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on behalf of the East African Community (EAC). The AU is in contact with the Ugandan-led mediation to facilitate the urgent re-launching of the inter-Burundian dialogue with the participation of all concerned stakeholders.
“The AU continues to work to that end with other members of the international community, including the United Nations and relevant bilateral and multilateral partners. The chairperson of the commission urges all Burundian stakeholders to demonstrate the spirit of responsibility and utmost restraint required by the situation and to place the interest of their country and its people above all other considerations,” the AU said. –
ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images / Getty Images)