Zuma urges inclusive dialogue in Burundi
President Jacob Zuma, who is leading a high-level delegation of African heads of state, said an inclusive dialogue involving all political parties in Burundi could help resolve the troubles in that country.
In his opening remarks at an African Union (AU) meeting in that country on Thursday, Zuma said: “We firmly believe that the challenges that Burundi faces can only be resolved through participation by all parties in inclusive dialogue whose result should be peace, security, and stability for the people of Burundi”.
Burundi has been in the grip of violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April last year that he would seek a third term in office, despite the constitutional two-term limit. He won an election boycotted by the opposition in July.
Zuma – who is leading a delegation that includes President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, Senegal President Macky Sall, Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn – said the AU was deeply concerned about the volatile situation in Burundi.
“Our mandate is to consult with all the important players here in Burundi regarding the political situation, and to encourage all players to participate in the mediation process facilitated by His Excellency President Museveni, and to urge all to engage actively in the Inter-Burundian Dialogue,” said Zuma.
The visiting AU delegation, which met opposition leaders on Thursday, was expected to meet Burundi President Nkurunziza on Friday.
The visit follows that of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to whom Nkurunziza promised to release 1,200 political prisoners earlier this week.