President Yoweri Museveni has urged the people of Burundi to unite in order to prosper.
Museveni, who was in Burundi as the lead mediator of the East African efforts to placate the troubled central African state also condemned sectarianism which, he said, was dangerous and destroyed interdependence among communities.
The President, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Dr Philemon Mateke and Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj. Gen. Matia Kyaligonza, was opening a two-day Burundi High Level Political Dialogue between the Government of Burundi, opposition Political Party leaders both in Parliament and outside Parliament, eminent persons who included two past Presidents of Burundi, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and a cross section of other stakeholders, who converged at Hotel Belair.
His visit was a follow up of the mandate given to him by the 3rd Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community in Dar-es-Salaam on the 6th of July 2015; to lead and facilitate dialogue at the highest level in a bid to find a lasting solution to the current political situation in Burundi. The EAC leaders also decided to postpone the Presidential election in the country up to July 30 to allow for this process.
Museveni advised the people of Burundi to support the integration of East Africa which offers them bigger opportunities and markets for their products. He further asked them to create conducive environment for private sector growth and attract investments.
Mr. Museveni told them that he was happy to hear from Burundi Vice President, Prosper Mbazombaza that the Government had disarmed the youth groups who had been disturbing people with illegally acquired guns.
“Guns must be a monopoly of the State which is accountable to the people and must only be used purposefully like a surgeon’s knife,” he said.
In his speech VP Mbazombaza welcomed the dialogue and hoped it will generate consensus on major outstanding issues leading to the desired peace and stability in the country. He thanked President Museveni for his commitment to stability in the region and in Burundi in particular.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Richard Sezibera thanked President Museveni for acting as requested by the EAC Summit.
He told the Barundi leaders that it will be unfortunate if democracy in their country continues to be associated with shattered hope and suffering of the people.
