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Region calls for peaceful Burundi poll

By HAVYARIMANA MOSES

Regional economic blocs and international development partners have called for a peaceful general election in Burundi.

Bujumbura
A main boulevard in Bujumbura city. Last week, EAC and Comesa held roundtable consultations to discuss the elections set for May and June. PHOTO | FILE

Last week, the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) held roundtable consultations to discuss the elections to be held in May and June. At the launch of the roundtable in Bujumbura, EAC Secretary-General Richard Sezibera said the EAC and Comesa will support Burundi in promoting multiparty democracy.

“It is the earnest desire of the region to see that elections take place in a good and peaceful atmosphere. Unless handled well, elections have the tendency to cause instability.

“Peaceful elections are essential for the country as it integrates more into the EAC and Comesa, and together we are committed to achieving the dream of greater social, political and economic development of Burundi,” said Dr Sezibera.

First Vice President of Burundi Prosper Bazombanza reiterated the region’s desire to see democratic, peaceful and stable elections in Burundi.

“It is the values of dialogue and inclusion that are of essence during this period, and which will enhance reconciliation efforts and help build consensus among Burundians,” Mr Bazombanza said.

The World Bank has provided a $25 million grant to support the elections, and the United Nations is sending a high-powered observer mission to Burundi at the request of the government.

In addition, the UN Electoral Observation Mission in Burundi (MENUB), led by former Mauritius president Cassam Uteem, launched a programme that will start with monitoring pre-election preparations.

This comes amid political tension over plans by President Pierre Nkurunziza to capitalise on a constitutional lacuna to run for a third term, contrary to the spirit of the 2000 Arusha Accord that allows candidates to run for only two terms. Opposition parties, civil society and the US government have advised against President Nkurunziza’s plan to run for a third term, arguing that it could lead to political instability.

The country has enjoyed relative peace for the past 10 years, after going through 13 years of civil war. Although President Nkurunziza has not officially declared his stand, officials of his ruling party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy, have said his name will be on the ballot.

In the 2010 elections, the EAC helped avert election-related violence when it arranged for continuous consultations between Burundi stakeholders and their counterparts in other partner states.

Kenyan diplomat Bethuel Kiplagat appealed to the Burundi people to avoid a situation similar to Kenya’s 2007-2008 post-election violence.

Recently, Burundi has faced insecurity from unidentified armed groups with bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government said the attacks are meant to disrupt the elections.

Source: The East African

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