Mkapa explains his position on Burundi talks

What you need to know:

  • EAC and the Burundi Consulate maintain the former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa has completed his task as Facilitator of Inter-Burundi Dialogu

Dar es Salaam. The office of former President Benjamin Mkapa yesterday explained that the former Head of State has completed his duties as facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue and has not resigned from the position.

The office said Mr Mkapa, whose role was bestowed on him by leaders of the East African Community (EAC) four years ago, received enough cooperation from leaders in Burundi and the bloc.

Speaking to The Citizen, Mr Mkapa’s personal secretary, Mr Macocha Tembele, said the former President’s job had been completed after convening five rounds of facilitations bringing together the government and the opposition.

“Mr Mkapa was not mediating the dispute, the mediation role had been given to the President of Uganda, Mr Yoweri Museveni. Mr Mkapa was tasked to ensure rival sides in the dispute meet and they outline issues they agreed and those they didn’t something he did successfully,” he said.

“He has prepared a report containing all those issues and it has been handed over to EAC leaders to enable Mr Museveni continue with the mediation process basing on issues they did not agree.”

He refuted reports that Mr Mkapa resigned from his position because of misunderstandings and lack of cooperation from political rival sides in Burundi, noting that misunderstandings in mediation processes were common.

Mr Tembele said the facilitator had been consulting with the mediator (President Museveni) and the EAC secretariat, and given enough cooperation including in matters related to finances.

He said some people would think that EAC’s failure to convene a special summit on Burundi did not go down well with the facilitator, something he said wasn’t the case because failures could be caused by logistics and time limits.

“From the cooperation he received, Mr Mkapa has produced and handed over a good report that would be very helpful in ending the political dispute in Burundi,” he said.

He said challenges related to resources, time and failure to agree on certain matters including who to invite during the dialogue were common.

Mr Tembele’s explanations come after reports that Mr Mkapa had resigned from his role in Burundi peace talks following lack of cooperation from political rivals in Burundi and EAC leaders.