Jean Claude Ndenzako, Spokesperson for President Pierre Nkurunziza says foreigners cannot hinder or advance the inter-Burundian dialogue. Only Burundians should discuss their matters, he said this after the visit of Smaël Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security to Burundi for two days.
Jean Claude Ndenzako: « The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security was not the only one who was not received.”
Smaël Chergui visited Burundi from 5 to 7 November after the 5th round of the Inter-Burundian dialogue session which took place in Arusha-Tanzania and was boycotted by Burundi government, the ruling party and its allies.
In a communiqué that the AU issued on 8 November, the visit was a response to the African Union’s concern to “accompany Burundi, alongside the East African community, for an inclusive dialogue, the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights”.
Mr. Chergui could not meet President Pierre Nkurunziza. Jean Claude Ndenzako says the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security was not the only one who was not received.
“Other dignitaries, including Catherine Samba Panza, former President of the Central African Republic and Jurg Lauber, President of the Burundi Configuration of the UN Commission of Peace Building also needed to meet the President in vain because he had a busy agenda,” says the spokesman for Burundi President.
Mr. Karerwa says Ambassador Chergui would have given the message intended for President Nkurunziza to ministers he had met namely that of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Regarding the partnership between Burundi and the African Union, Karerwa Ndenzako reassures that relations between the two are good.
Former President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, who met the commissioner for 25 minutes, says they exchanged views on the process of the Inter-Burundian dialogue.
For him, Burundians including officials must take their concerns into their own hands without foreign intervention.
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