We will work together, Burundi leaders tell President Uhuru Kenyatta

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta today held a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament of Burundi and his deputy who briefed him on the political situation in the East African nation.

The Speaker, Mr Pascal Nyabenda, doubles as the chairman of the ruling party CNDD-FDD, while the Deputy Speaker, Mr Agathon Rwasa, heads the opposition, Amizero y'Abarundi coalition.

The two leaders told President Kenyatta that the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza and the opposition had agreed to work together for the interest of their country and sought Kenya’s support for further reconciliation in Burundi.

President Kenyatta told the two leaders, who were accompanied by MPs from the two sides, that they can count on Kenya’s support for all efforts aimed at fostering peace in Burundi.

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“The region’s interest is to have a peaceful Burundi because we cannot let you go back to the violence which you have gone through before,” said the President.

President Kenyatta said the process of reconciliation and dialogue in Burundi should be inclusive so that the internal differences can be resolved once and for all.

“I am happy to see that your team is composed of all the sides of the political spectrum sending a strong signal to the world that you want peace,” said the President.

President Kenyatta said regional leaders are willing to continue supporting Burundi to remain peaceful but the biggest responsibility rests with Burundians themselves.

“The internal challenges facing your country can be resolved by the people of Burundi without exclusion,” said the President.

Mr Nyabenda thanked President Kenyatta for his strong message to all the sides in Burundi to respect their constitution and to avoid fuelling violence.

“We respected our constitution and today the Burundi government represents all ethnic groups and all political parties as provided for in the constitution,” he said.

The Speaker said Burundians want to continue with the process of dialogue and requested the East African Community to host a special summit to kick off another round of reconciliation.

Mr Rwasa said the opposition chose to cooperate with the government to save the country from collapsing.

“Burundi has gone through hard times but it is not in a desperate position today. We have to transform the challenges that face us into opportunities and if we commit to true dialogue we can achieve more,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Prof Karanja Kibicho and Burundi Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Beatrice Kankindi.