BUJUMBURA SEPTEMBER 15, 2017(CISA)-The Catholic Bishops Conference of Burundi (CECAB) has called on Burundians to engage in inclusive dialogue to prevent further bloodshed in the nation.
In a communiqué released on September 10, the bishops noted that Burundians had suffered so much from war casualties and no responsible citizen should accept that the country plunges once again into war.
“Everyone knows that disagreements between politicians have resulted in mutual exclusion, killings and assassinations,” the bishops said.
The bishops noted that the situation had forced many Burundians to flee the country to neighboring countries where they have been forced to live in terrible conditions.
“Among them there are politicians, law enforcement and security officials, economic operators and leaders of various civil society organizations. Those who are in power or those who seek to conquer it and ever all Burundians are like travelers who share the same road. Everyone needs the contribution of the other,” the bishops said.
They called for the urgent implementation of inter-Burundian- dialogue noting that if delayed, the problems the country is facing will become more complicated.
On September 6, Burundian Ombudsman, Edouard Nduwimana announced that the last round of the inter-Burundian dialogue of Arusha, led by former Tanzanian President, William Benjamin Mkapa would be held by October.
Burundi plunged into a violent political crisis when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced a controversial run for a third term, which he won in contested elections in July 2015.
Since then, a dialogue between the Burundi Government and the opposition has been demanded by the UN, AU, EU, EAC and other partners to restore peace.
