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Former Tanzanian President Mkapa visits Burundi over political crisis

Xinhua, March 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former Tanzanian President and mediator in the Burundian crisis Benjamin Mkapa Friday made his first visit to Burundi after his appointment as co-facilitator in the Burundian conflict and met with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.

After meeting the Burundian president, Mkapa expressed his hope that there will be an end to violence that took place in Burundi during the last couple of months.

"I had an in-depth briefing with the Burundian president. I hope that the peace stability that has characterized the first ten years of the Arusha peace process will continue. I hope there will be an end to violence that took place in Burundi during the last couple of months," said Mkapa.

He also indicated that he wanted to assure President Nkurunziza that there has to be an end to any "silly speculations" about possible violence or confrontations or war between members of the EAC on developments in Burundi, Rwanda or Tanzania.

"We are a community, neighbors and we really must live in peace together, cooperate and develop together," said Mkapa.

He said that he was on a regional tour during which he met Yoweri Museveni, Ugandan President and EAC appointed main facilitator and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

According to him, he met those presidents to be updated on the events over the last ten years in order to be informed of their understanding of what the function of the dialogue will be and what the participation of his team will constitute.

Mkapa was appointed co-facilitator in the Burundian crisis by a summit of East African Community (EAC) heads of state and government that took place in Arusha, Tanzania on March 2.

During the joint press conference, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza told reporters that he informed Mkapa about Rwanda's interference in the Burundi's crisis. Endit