Abel Gashatsi, Chairman of UPRONA party says the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement still plays a crucial role in the preservation of peace and security throughout the country 19 years after it was signed.
Abel Gashatsi/ Léonce Ngendakumana
“Leaders should continue respecting it as we are approaching the 2020 elections,” he says adding that the Arusha Agreement contributed much to the building of confidence among Burundians.
He also says the Arusha Agreement is respected despite some challenges observed in the country. Mr. Gashatsi urges country leaders to continue respecting it as it allows public and security institutions to respect ethnic balance. “The organization of government activities refers to the Arusha Agreement,” he says.
The same view is shared by Léonce Ngendakumana, Deputy Chairman of Sahwanya FRODEBU party.
He says the Arusha Agreement is the pillar of sustainable democracy, good governance and the consolidation of peace and security in the country.
“Even though some people think that they can cancel or ignore it, the Arusha agreement still plays a crucial role in the smooth running of the government activities. No other agreement can replace it,” he says.
The Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement was signed on August 28th, 2000. It was based on four points of agreement including a power-sharing formula based on an agreed formula of ethnic quotas in politics; representation of all parties in the state bureaucracy; constitutional restrictions to prevent any single party from becoming excessively powerful and the pathways to integrate former rebels and minority groups
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