Mon Nov 21 11:29:57 EAT 2016

President Nkurunziza fears isolation from East Africa

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza is demanding assurance from the region and the international community that his country is not being isolated in a bid to force him into talks with his opponents, a UN envoy says.

In Summary

  • President Nkurunziza said the Burundi dialogue facilitated by former president of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa also needs regional ownership in terms of financial support to gain wider acceptance among the various stakeholders.

Bujumbura. Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza is demanding assurance from the region and the international community that his country is not being isolated in a bid to force him into talks with his opponents, a UN envoy says.

President Nkurunziza said the Burundi dialogue facilitated by former president of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa also needs regional ownership in terms of financial support to gain wider acceptance among the various stakeholders.

The United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, speaking in Nairobi, said that from his six meetings with President Nkurunziza since the political crisis began in April 2014 he has learnt that Bujumbura feels isolated. (NMG)

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