Off the wire
• German inflation falls to zero in February  • Celebrity microbloggers' accounts closed for rumormongering  • Foxconn postpones Sharp acquisition to evaluate new document  • Greek gov't scrambles to find shelter for trapped refugees  • Ukraine's radicals to resume blockage of Russian trucks  • More than pride at stake in Madrid derby  • China Headlines: China clarifies economic policies, reform agenda at G20 meeting  • Mobile World Congress receives record 101,000 visitors  • Palestinian killed in alleged stabbing attack against Israelis  • Chinese Premier urges G20 policy coordination  
You are here: 　 Home

Burundi's political actors, religious groups satisfied after meeting AU high-level panel

Xinhua, February 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Burundian political actors and representatives of religious groups have expressed their satisfaction over the call for inclusive dialogue to solve Burundi's crisis after meeting on Thursday night the African Union high-level panel.

"During the discussions with the five African heads of state and government, we have agreed that there is a need to strengthen the mediation and to urgently hold inclusive negotiations," said Leonce Ngendakumana, chairman of the Front for Democracy in Burundi (Sahwanya-FRODEBU) opposition party.

While the Burundian government has been rejecting talks with those who attempted to overthrow Burundi's institutions in May 2015 and those involved in terror activities, Ngendakumana said, "There is no other way of neutralizing armed groups than negotiating with them."

According to him, it is clear that talks will take place with those that the government of Burundi calls "coup plotters".

A religious leader also commended the meeting with the AU high-level panel.

"During the meeting we acknowledged that we are facing challenges. Violence is reported in some areas though in some other parts there may not be open violence, but at the same there is fear. Therefore, we should really work together so that fear may be waved away," said Monsignor Bernard Ntahoturi, Chairman of the Anglican Church.

With regards to the controversial issue on the possible deployment of an African Prevention and Protection Mission (MAPROBU) to prevent genocide or massive killings in Burundi, Ntahoturi said, "We need peacebuilders instead of peacekeepers."

At the launch of the consultations with political actors, South African President also chair of the AU high-level panel Jacob Zuma said, "Challenges can only be solved through the participation by all parties in an inclusive dialogue whose results should be peace, security and stability."

Apart from South African President Zuma, other members of the high-level panel include Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

The AU high-level delegation is due to meet Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza before departing Friday afternoon.

The summit of AU heads of state held in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia on Jan. 30-31 decided the sending of a high-level panel to assess Burundi's crisis and advise on the necessity of the deployment of an African Prevention and Protection Mission (MAPROBU).

On Dec. 17, 2015, the African Union Peace and Security Council issued a resolution on the deployment into Burundi of 5,000 AU troops to prevent genocide or massive killings.

However, the Burundian government is opposed to the deployment of foreign troops, arguing that Burundi is "safe" and that "no genocide" will take place in Burundi.

Burundi is facing a political crisis that broke out in April 2015 following the announcement by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would be seeking a third term.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.

Over 400 persons are reported to have been killed since then. Endit