Burundi: Sezibera wasn’t invited to talks

Kigali. Burundi has defended herself over alleged mistreatment of the East African Community (EAC) secretary general, Dr Richard Sezibera, on October 28 and said he was barred because he was not invited to the mediation talks on the country’s ongoing crisis.

“Dr Sezibera was barred from accessing the meeting because he was not on the official mediation team in Bujumbura,” said a source at the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala), currently holding a meeting here.

The incident, which the EAC secretariat has termed “uncalled for aggression” against its chief executive, has elicited anger and deep concerns among senior officials of the Community and its organs and institutions as well as among the regional legislators.

Sources added that although the Arusha-based secretariat had written an official protest letter to Bujumbura authorities contesting the alleged mishandling of Dr Sezibera, no apologies have been received from that end besides that the EAC official was” not on the official mediation team” during talks held there on October 28.

An Eala member from Tanzania, Mr Abdullah Mwinyi, raised the matter before the House this week, noting that the way the EAC boss was reportedly treated was a matter of concern to the region as it touched on the privileges of a member of the Assembly.

The EAC secretary general is an ex-offico member of Eala by virtue of his position alongside with the Counsel to the Community (CTC). Although he has not voting powers, he is fully engaged in the day-to-day procedures of the Assembly.

Mr Mwinyi said he and other Eala members were more concerned by the silence from other relevant bodies and parties on the way the matter has been treated. “The unbecoming conduct of some Burundi officials clearly raises a lot of questions,” he remarked, adding that nothing “tangible” had been heard from the Burundi authorities after a letter of protest was sent to explain on the incident.

Mr Martin Ngonga, a law maker from Rwanda, said he also was surprised by the way Dr Sezibera was treated because he was exercising his duties to the mediation talks in his capacity as the secretary general of the EAC.

Responding to the concerns, Eala Speaker Francis Kidega confirmed that as a member of the Assembly, the EAC boss was on an official mission to Burundi. “We will look into allegation of mistreatment following a request by the Assembly”, he said, adding that after investigations are concluded the matter would be taken to the EAC Council of Ministers, which is the policy organ of the Community.

“The information from the Council of Ministers will then form the basis for a possible motion,” he said.