Kenya to push for dialogue between warring parties in Burundi

{Kenya will push for dialogue between all the conflicting parties in Burundi to ensure that the country returns to normalcy even as authorities there rejected an offer to deploy AU peace troops.}

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations Ndung’u Gethenji Sunday said they want dialogue to be given a chance so that the people of Burundi can have an opportunity to live in a peaceful and a secure environment for their own good and for the benefit of the East African community.

“We would like to see a situation where normalcy will prevail and the people of Burundi are respected in their political choice and the leadership also given an opportunity to create a lasting environment for peace and stability for the country,” said Mr Gethenji.

Mr Gethenji made the remarks in Karunaini Village in his Tetu Constituency, Nyeri County when he presented a scholarship and travel documents to a 22-years-old Paul Mwaniki Nderitu who is going to Algeria’s University of Blida for studies.

At the same time, a Kenyan parliamentary group is also set to lead other East African countries in an attempt to end the political unrest in Burundi.

The unrest in the tiny landlocked country started when President Pierre Nkurunziza declared that he would run for a third presidential term, despite opposition claims that the bid violated a constitutional limit to serve no more than two terms as president.

Mr Nkurunziza went ahead to win the elections later in July 2015.

COUP ATTEMPT

In May, soldiers opposed to Mr Nkurunziza launched a coup attempt that failed to dislodge him after it was quelled by loyalists.

They however, started a rebellion in the north of the country.

The Tetu MP said they want to have a workable solution for all the people of Burundi and see them participate in the development of their country.

“We also support dialogue as a way forward and not conflict since conflict will never solve anything and will only take the country backwards,” said Mr Gethenji.

Mr Gethenji defended the African Union (AU) saying it was not dragging its feet in trying to solve problems facing Burundi which has been experiencing bloodshed.

“AU works within prescribed channels and in this case, the Peace and Security Council and the summit which will be meeting in January will find a solution,” he said.

AU has already given Burundi a four-day deadline to agree to peacekeeping troops being sent to that country.

According to a statement by AU’s Peace and Security Council, the force will have an initial strength of up to 5,000 military personnel and police.

Burundi has so far dismissed the proposals for any peacekeeping force, but AU said if the country refuses to accept the troops, the bloc would take additional measures to ensure their deployment.

Source:Daily Nation:[Kenya to push for dialogue between warring parties in Burundi->http://www.voanews.com/content/african-union-awaits-burundi-formal-response-on-troops/3111584.html]