Burundi’s radical opposition skeptical on end of talks by June

The Burundian opposition living in exile has said the facilitation’s suggestion of concluding inter-Burundi talks meant to settle the country’s 2015 crisis by June is impossible, the opposition leader told Radio Isanganiro on Friday.

“The facilitation timetable is unrealistic. Until this time, the East African Community-led facilitation has so far organized at least four sessions without however bringing together stakeholders in the Burundian crisis,” said Charles Nditije, chairman of the radical opposition dubbed the National Council for the Restoration of the Arusha Agreement and a Rule of Law (CNARED).

According to him, the facilitation has not so far “identified real stakeholders” that have something to say in relation with the origin of the conflict.

“Those stakeholders must be identified because they are sometimes at the origin of the conflict for a sustainable solution. Their viewpoints need to be heard.”

Besides, the Burundi-based Radio Isanganiro quoted him as saying that the agenda of the talks has not yet been determined, adding that even the methodology of the talks has not yet been established.

So far, the facilitation led by former Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa has held separate consultations with various stakeholders in the inter-Burundi dialogue.

“The facilitation seems to have taken the option of listening to stakeholders in separate consultations and make a sort of wrap up of the consultations. These are not negotiations. It is impossible to reach an agreement by June if there are real negotiations,” said Nditije.

Earlier this year, the facilitator in the inter-Burundi dialogue said that the inter-Burundi talks would be concluded by June.

Burundi plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Nkurunziza decided to run his third term.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.

More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and some 400,000 people fled to neighboring countries mostly Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda since the outbreak of the crisis. Enditem

Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh

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