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Inclusive dialogue called for after shooting of Burundi official

Xinhua, December 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union and the United States on Wednesday issued separate statements calling for inclusive dialogue in Burundi.

The statements came in the wake of an attempted assassination on Monday night against Willy Nyamitwe, senior communication adviser at the Burundian president's office.

A statement from the EU Delegation in Burundi said the assassination attempt was "not acceptable" and showed "the persistence of violence characterized by several killings and forced disappearances."

"Only a political solution through an inclusive dialogue is the way out to the crisis and can restore a peaceful climate in Burundi," it said.

The EU also reiterated its support to the facilitation efforts led by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

The U.S. Embassy in Burundi called for "restraint" in the Burundian capital Bujumbura while authorities investigate the assassination attempt.

"We continue to urge all parties to abstain from violence and engage a transparent, complete and inclusive dialogue to solve Burundi's ongoing crisis," said a statement from the U.S. Embassy.

On Monday night, Nyamitwe escaped death in a gunmen's ambush near his home at Kajaga, west of the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said the gunmen opened fire against Nyamitwe's car, killing one of Nyamitwe's guards and injuring another guard and Nyamitwe.

Nkurikiye indicated that one soldier was arrested in connection with the ambush, adding that investigations reveal that Rwandans are behind the assassination attempt.

Relations between Burundi and Rwanda have been tense since 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term.

Burundi has accused Rwanda of hosting Burundians who staged a failed coup on May 13, 2015 against Nkurunziza and of providing military training to those trying to destabilizing Burundi.

Rwanda has denied all these allegations.

More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and some 300,000 people fled to neighboring countries since the outbreak of the political crisis. Endit