The decision comes after the EAC Heads of State put off an extraordinary meeting following Wednesday’s attempted coup d’etat in Burundi. The meeting will resume in a week or two weeks after the coup dust settles down.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Minister, Benard Membe told journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam after opening the Ministry’s 9th workers councils meeting.
On the sideline of the meeting, Membe said after the meeting the recommendations will be considered for implementation on the situation in Burundi.
“We have taken immediate decision to meet in order to forward our recommendations on how the ongoing crisis can be resolved to end peace instability in Burundi, “he said.The minister further said the EAC ministers must ponder deeply on the country’s political instability to avoid chaos, deaths and loss of properties.
He further said that the situation in Burundi is not stable and not a conducive place for people to live unless the crisis is resolved.
The minister refuted rumors that Tanzania had offered asylum to Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza in a bid to save his life
“We have no any information of the whereabouts of President Pierre Nkurunziza.The government position is only to see the situation in Burundi resumes to normal,” he insisted.
He however warned journalists not to exaggerate issues related to Burundi crisis because it might affect the state security or tarnish Burundi’s image.
On Wednesday this week, the EAC Heads of State condemned the attempted d’état in Burundi.
The coup was attempted Wednesday afternoon this week while President Pierre Nkuruzinza was in Tanzania attending an extra ordinary meeting with the rest of the EAC Heads of state.
Briefing journalist after the meeting was over President Jakaya Kikwete, as the Chairman of the EAC Heads of States called on Burundi’s Major General Godefroid Niyombare to stop the coup and respect the rule of law.
Kikwete said the African leaders have proposed Burundi’s presidential election to be postponed until the country’s situation stabilises.
“When the country is ready for the elections, then it has to be done in respect to the Arusha Agreement of the 2015 which put the current President Pierre Nkuruzinza in power,” Kikwete said.
For his part, the Burundi’s Major General Godefroid Niyombare who led the attempted coup, accuses Pierre Nkuruzinza for seeking unconstitutional third term in office.
The Major General is believed to be backed by civil society groups to form a transitional government.
“We consider it to be a joke and not a as military coup,” President Aide Willy Niyamitwe is said to have told Reuters Wednesday this week.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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