Burundi crisis threat to EA stability, says COTU boss

The East Africa Trade Unions Confederation (COTU) has warned that the spiralling violence in Burundi and the murder of the country's opposition leader are worrying for the the region.

Confederation chairman Francis Atwoli blamed the country's leadership for the turn of events, accusing it of suppressing "opposition leaders, protestors, various voices of democracy including workers".

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General said the Saturday assassination of Zedi Feruzi, leader of the opposition Union for Peace and Development (UPD) is a threat to East African's stability.

"Unless the matter is resolved earliest, the region's political stability and peace are likely to tumble," he said.

He asked Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene "using the influence that he commands as a Head of State in this region that besides the joint efforts being made by the East African Community (EAC) summit" to talk to Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza to begin peace talks with opposition leaders.

"COTU as the affiliate chair of EATUC appeals to the President to hasten the process of finding a truce in Burundi since our trade union counterparts in Burundi continue to express fear and uncertainty over their members' and workers' lives, and if this uncertainty continues, there is an imminent danger at a time when the push for the region's joint customs market is taking off," he said in a statement.