Burundi's reconciliation body seeks partnership with NGOs

The Burundian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Friday met with local and international non-governmental organizations to seek their partnership as many of them have a lot of experience in transitional justice.

At the launch of the meeting, TRC Chairman Monsignor Jean Louis Nahimana told participants that non-governmental organizations can play an important role for the success of transitional justice in Burundi.

"We are aware and convinced that non-governmental organizations can play an important role for the success of transitional justice in Burundi," said Nahimana.

Nahimana indicated that the meeting was aimed at establishing a partnership between the TRC and local and international non-governmental organizations.

"We know that you have a lot of experience in transitional justice as some of you worked in the transitional justice sector for more than 15 years. We count on your experience to be able to succeed," said Nahimana.

The partnership between the TRC and non-governmental organizations working in Burundi is sought at a time when the TRC Thursday launched the phase of investigations into crimes that occurred in the east African nation.

Nahimana told a press conference that victims can start laying their complaints at the TRC.

Set up in December 2015, the TRC launched its operational phase in April this year in Kayanza province.

It is mandated to look into cyclical inter-ethnic massacres committed in Burundi since the country's independence in 1962 up to 2008 with the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the government and the last rebel group -- the Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People-National Liberation Forces. Enditem