JK's team in Burundi to assess political instability.

President Jakaya Kikwete.

President Jakaya Kikwete has sent a team of cabinet ministers from the East African Community (EAC) partner states to Burundi to assess the political instability.

According to a statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communications circulated to the media yesterday, the team is meeting all important stakeholders in Burundi and will finish the task over the weekend.

However, he said the solution to the current political situation of Burundi can only be found if Burundians respect their mother law and Elections Act.

He said the duty of the EAC is help Burundi to find a solution to such problems.

Kikwete who is the current Chairman for the EAC was responding to a question at the United Nations meeting on Monday in New York from the UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon who wanted to know the political situation in Burundi.
“Honourable President (Kikwete), tell us the situation in Burundi following the decision by the current Burundi President to contest for the third term…such a decision can lead to instability and death. We want to know the opinion of neighbouring countries for Burundi, may be you. You are among very few persons who can help changing the current situation of Burundi,” the statement in question quotes the Ki Moon as asking President Kikwete.

Responding, the President said: “As you are aware honourable General Secretary that I am the Chairman of EAC, I have therefore directed four cabinet ministers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda to go to Burundi to hold talks with all important  stakeholders and later compile an advisory report to us that can help Burundi.”

Kikwete said the four ministers will complete the job at the end of this week and later the EAC will know what to do.

“As you might be aware, Burundi’s minister for Foreign Affairs and International Relations was today (May 04, 2015) meeting his Tanzania’s counterpart, discussing Burundi’s situation,” added Kikwete in the statement.

However, President Jakaya Kikwete said solution to challenges facing Burundi will be found by Burundi’s citizenry and their leaders by respecting their constitution and election law.

“If there are people who think the nomination of Burundi’s President to contest has violated the Constitution, then let them follow the law to find a solution instead of using force,” Kikwete told the UN Secretary General.

Kikwete started to was chairing the High-Level Panel on the Global Response to Health Crises held at the North Lawn Building at the UN headquarters in New York.

  The panel, which was appointed by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, was tasked to find ways of responding to various health pandemics. It will make recommendations on strengthening national and international systems to prevent and manage future health crises.

 By May 03, 2015, the number of Burundians crossing the border into Tanzania seeking refugee had increased to over 1800. 

The exodus is stemming from insecurity allegedly caused by the election fever as the country prepares for parliamentary elections set for May 26, and most importantly, presidential elections a month later.

A statement availed to The Guardian Monday from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Burundians entered into the country through various villages in Kigoma Region.

 The villages are Kigaye, Sekeoya, Kakonko, Kosovo, Kagunga and Kibuye, while others entered through the immigration office at Manyovu in Kigoma.

 The statement said that the number of refugees who entered the country up to May 3, this year was 1852.

 Earlier reports from Kigoma said that the number of Burundians who cross border to Tanzania has been increasing after three boats arrived on Sunday evening at Kibirizi with 219 Burundian refugees on board.

 Refugees’ coordinator in Kigoma zone, Tony Laizer said the 219 refugees who were fleeing civil strife in Burundi were transported to Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Kasulu.

On Sunday the spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Isac Nantanga was quoted by the media as saying that the number of Burundi refugees had reached 800 but as of yesterday the number had shot up to1852.

 Burundi, a member of the East African Community is facing civil strife after the ruling CNDD-FDD nominated President Piere Nkurunzinza to vie for the presidency for another term contrary to the agreement. The decision has sparked anger, with people demonstrating against the move.

  A score of people have been killed following the strife. Most of the refugees enter Tanzania through Kagunga border point and mostly come from Makamba and Lumonge areas, believed to be the most hit areas by the strife.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN