Africa Focus: AU renews appeal for dialogue, restraint in Burundi

The African Union (AU) has renewed its appeal to dialogue and restraint in Burundi.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, continues to follow closely the evolution of the situation in Burundi, said a statement from AU on Thursday.

The Chairperson has expressed concern at the serious threat that the developments of the past few days pose to the long-term stability of Burundi and the hard-won gains made over the past years towards peace, security and stability, as well as to regional stability.

She deplored the loss of life, conveyed AU's condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to all those who were injured during these most unfortunate incidents.

Dlamini-Zuma also expressed her deep concern over the increasing number of refugees arriving in Rwanda, due to the prevailing situation on the ground.

The Chairperson of the Commission underscored the need for dialogue among the Burundian stakeholders, in order to resolve their differences peacefully and create conditions conducive for the holding of peaceful, inclusive, free, fair and transparent elections.

The Chairperson reiterated AU's urgent appeal for all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action likely to further complicate the current situation and efforts towards its early resolution.

She echoed the call by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the urgent disarmament of all militias and illegal armed groups, and its strong condemnation of acts of violence.

She stressed the need to ensure the respect of fundamental freedoms, in line with member states commitments under AU's instruments on democracy and human rights.

The Chairperson underlined, once again, that Burundi is at a critical juncture. All stakeholders must rise to the challenges at hand, to enable the country to peacefully overcome the current problems and deepen democracy and the rule of law, according to the statement.

In its 501st meeting on Tuesday on the situation in that country, the AU Peace and Security Council expressed its grave concern about the incidents that have taken place in Burundi in the past few days, deeply deplored the loss of human life and strongly condemned all acts of violence. The Council stressed the urgency of fully disarming all militias and illegal armed groups. The Council reiterated the readiness of AU to support the Burundian stakeholders in the deepening of the democratic process, within the context of the relevant AU instruments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, according to the statement from the pan-African bloc.

The Council welcomed the intention of the Chairperson of the AU Commission to dispatch a high-level mission urgently to Burundi to identify other practical measures that could assist in defusing the current tension and contribute to the establishment of conditions conducive to the successful organization of the elections.

The Council called upon the Government of Burundi and all the other stakeholders concerned to extend the necessary cooperation to this mission. Endi