Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Burundi says the president’s announcement not to stand as president in 2020 election is a good sign given the political situation in the country. He says it in a farewell speech during a press conference he held this June 26, 2018.
Harry Verweij: “the President’s announcement to leave office in 2020 will surely improve the political situation in Burundi”
Mr Verweij, who has represented the Netherlands to Burundi since 2016, has said he leaves Burundi with a feeling of hope after the president has announced he will not run for president in the 2020 elections. “The president’s announcement was like an open door to many opportunities for Burundians. It will for sure improve the critical situation in which Burundi has plunged since 2015,” he has said.
Verweij says it was not easy for him to work because of tense diplomatic relations with Burundi. “The government was not really cooperative and this blocked some initiatives of the Netherlands Embassy towards Burundi population”.
He, however, acknowledges the warm welcome and cooperation with different NGOs and population and calls on the government to be more cooperative with the next Ambassador. “For relations to be strong, they have to be bilateral. The government of Burundi should put much effort in and improve diplomatic relations with European countries in general and specifically the Netherlands,” he says.
Verweij says he had an audience with the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation and explained his demand of fostering diplomatic relations.
Burundi has plunged into a political crisis since President Nkurunziza announced he would run for a controversial third term in 2015. The recent unexpected announcement made by the President on Thursday June 7 after the promulgation of the new Constitution came as sign of hope for the international community, exiled politicians and activists.
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