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Former Tanzanian president wants EAC extraordinary summit to end political impasse in Burundi

Xinhua, February 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa on Sunday suggested the need of holding an extraordinary summit of the East African Community (EAC) to address the political impediment in Burundi.

Mkapa, who is the facilitator for Burundi dialogue, made the suggestion after wrapping up the three-day dialogue in northern Tanzania's safari capital of Arusha.

Without divulging the time frame for the regional summit, Mkapa said: "There is an imperative need to hold an EAC extraordinary summit to address the impediment to the process."

Burundi plunged into crisis on April 26, 2015, when the Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza went for a third term bid.

The facilitator disclosed that he would refer the deliberations of the three-day dialogue to both the mediator, Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni and the chairperson of the EAC Heads of State summit, Tanzanian president John Magufuli.

He also acknowledged that there were some disagreements on the modalities of the implementation of the truce, maintaining that he would focus on four thematic areas during the next dialogue.

During the three-day dialogue, Mkapa met with representatives from opposition political parties and civil society organizations.

Mkapa said that most participants of the dialogue reaffirmed the principles and spirit of the Arusha Peace Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi as the foundation for sustainable peace, stability, and security, as well the recognition of the political, economic and social rights of all Burundians.

"While reaffirming respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Burundi, the participants emphasized the obligation of the State to provide security, stability, and protection of human rights of the people of Burundi."

According to the facilitator, participants of the dialogue pledged to seek with great urgency consensus on the central pillars of the evolution towards the next Burundi elections slated for 2020 and on the need for a conducive environment for a peaceful and credible electoral process. Endit