Inclusive dialogue, prerequisite for crisis resolution, says UN Special Envoy

Michel Kafando, the UN Special Envoy to Burundi presented briefly the current situation in the country to the UN Security Council, on 26 July. He calls for a dialogue that includes both the opposition in the country and the one in exile.

UN Security Council met on 26 July

“The first requirement is to give priority to inclusive dialogue, a prerequisite for any resolution of the crisis”, says Michel Kafando, the UN Special Envoy at the UNSC assembly. He says it is imperative that the Government of Burundi accede to the request of the countries in the sub-region and the African Union, supported by the United Nations, to engage in an inclusive dialogue.

The Special Envoy recognizes the importance of regional efforts. He also reiterates calls for greater involvement of the regional and the international community in favor of an inclusive dialogue and without preconditions. “The exiled opposition as well as the opposition in the country must be involved”, he says.

“I was expected to be with Benjamin Mkapa, former Tanzanian President, but he couldn’t make it due to health reasons”, the UN official said.

The UN Special Envoy also says the Arusha Agreement must remain the benchmark, the cornerstone. “All the non-governmental actors that I met recognized its importance and called for its preservation”, he says.
Kafando strongly believes in the sub-region’s commitment to work for peace in Burundi with the support of the African Union and the United Nations.

Albert Nshingiro, Burundi Ambassador to UN says the inter-Burundian dialogue process is in progress and several activities have been achieved. “The National Commission of the inter-Burundian dialogue handed over a report with opinions of 26,000 Burundians. It will be combined with the conclusions of the ongoing dialogue at the regional level to draw up a road map for the peaceful elections in 2020”, says Nshingiro.

He also says the Burundian Ombudsman organized an internal dialogue between all stakeholders. “All these processes complement each other and reinforce the culture of dialogue in our country “, he says.