East African envoys urge respect of new election schedule in Burundi

Envoys of East African Community (EAC) heads of state and the envoy of the South African president Monday urged the respect of the new election schedule in Burundi, head of the envoys' delegation Harrison Mwakyembe said.

"You (Burundi people) cannot continue postponing elections till beyond the constitutional time allowable to conduct elections," said Mwakyembe, who is also Tanzania's East African Cooperation Minister Harrison Mwakyembe.

"This is the second time the government of Burundi is postponing elections. Even if there are pending issues, their settlement can even continue even if after elections," he said.

According to Mwakyembe, a "political will" is necessary on the part of all electoral stakeholders for the success of elections in Burundi.

He also called for dialogue in order to create a favorable climate for the upcoming elections.

"If Burundian people can sit down and discuss among themselves between the ruling party, other political parties and the government, I don't see how you can fail to hold elections within the next two weeks," said Mwakyembe.

Before meeting leaders of political parties, the envoys of EAC heads of state and the envoy of the South African president met Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Nkurunziza announced on June 9 that parliamentary and presidential elections will be postponed to June 29 and July 15 respectively. Endi