Mkapa optimistic about Burundi peace talks

Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa is optimistic that the latest round of talks could produce a lasting solution to the political crisis in Burundi. 

Mkapa, the new facilitator of the dialogue between the Burundi Government and a coalition of opposition parties, on Tuesday said both sides in the conflict in which about 500 people have perished so far, are yearning for peace and a stop to killings. 

Since April 2015, Burundi has been ensnared in a political crisis triggered by the decision of President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek another term in office. 

The opposition insisted that Nkurunziza had exhausted his two constitutional terms as president since coming to power in 2006 after the end of the bitter civil war. 

Nkurunziza, who was backed by his party to seek another term, insists that he has governed the East African country as a president elected through universal adult suffrage for one only term. 

He was first elected president in 2005 by Parliament before the signing of the 2006 Arusha pact that marked the end of the 13-year civil war. 

One month into the political impasse, the country's Constitutional Court ruled in May 2015 that Nkurunziza was eligible to run for another term. 

He won a presidential ballot in June 2015 amid a raging conflict pitying the Hutus and Tutsis against each other. 

Closing the first inter-Burundi dialogue since he was appointed facilitator, replacing Uganda's defense minister, Cryspus Kiyonga, at Arusha International conference centre in Tanzania on Tuesday, Mkapa said both sides in the conflict held fruitful discussions during their four days consultations. 

Ministers representing the government of Burundi chat during the dialogue in Arusha. EAC Photo

President Yoweri Museveni is the chief mediator in the conflict. 

"All of you showed a high degree of civility, patriotism and a great desire to own the dialogue. I note that there is tremendous aversion to violence, targeted killings and the realization that war is not a solution to the crisis," Mkapa said. 

The ex-Tanzanian leader said he will hold consultations with some political players in Burundi who were invited but did not show up for the dialogue in Arusha, which hosts the headquarters of the East African Community. 

"I expect to convene a dialogue session possibly during the third week of June. I wish to thank you all for coming to Arusha to participate in consultations on the Inter - Burundi Dialogue. The high turnout has been very impressive and I feel very encouraged," Mkapa stated. 

Mkapa who informed the opposition and Government delegations that he will consult with Museveni to determine the way forward, asked the two parties to appoint representatives who will present their views during the next sessions. 

He briefed Museveni about the progress of the negotiations during his visit to Uganda in March. 

Museveni, who was selected by the third extra ordinary summit of the East African Community Heads of State on July 6, reactivated the Burundi dialogue last December, but progress has been hampered by the insistence of Nkurunziza's side that it will not entertain talks with groups that took up arms against the Government. 

Museveni called on Nkurunziza's Government to include all political actors, including armed groups, in the talks, but his call has not been heeded so far.