AU hails Museveni on Burundi mediation

By Taddeo Bwambale

THE African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui has lauded President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention in the crisis in Burundi, saying it will help prevent scale down the conflict.

Chergui was speaking at a regional meeting for intelligence and security forces in Kampala on Tuesday, where he said listed the situation in Burundi among the region’s security challenges.

“His (Museveni’s) intervention will help facilitate a peaceful transition and allow us to overcome another crisis in the region,” Chergui said.

Museveni travelled to Burundi on Tuesday, a week after he was appointed by heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) to lead and facilitate dialogue among the warring parties.

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The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda downplayed reports that some opposition figures had rejected Museveni’s role in the mediation efforts.

“For different parties to have misgivings at the start of negotiations is a normal process. We hope that the parties will work together to find a lasting solution to the problem,” he said.

Rugunda said the region ‘cannot afford the luxury’ of allowing Burundi to slip back into chaos arising from political differences.

Former Burundian president Jean Baptiste Bagaza waiting for the meeting to start. Photo by Abu Mwesigwa

Western diplomats have warned that the dispute could lead to conflict as reports emerged about armed groups preparing to wage war on each other.

Opposition politicians have accused Burundi's president of violating the constitution by running for a third term in July 21 elections, and have boycotted the vote and called a series of protests.

Intelligence and security chiefs from the East African Community (EAC) and IGAD member states are meeting in Kampala to review their fight against terrorism and emerging conflicts.

The officials are discussing ways and means of enhancing security cooperation and capabilities to contain cross-border crime in the region, arising out of instability in some states.