East African Trade Union condemns ongoing killings in Burundi

The East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) which brings together the five East African National Trade Union Centers from namely Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya condemns the ongoing killings in Burundi including the yesterday’s killing of the country’s leader of the opposition party, the Union for Peace and Development (UPD) Zedi Feruzi.

“The political intolerance that is now evident in Burundi that has seen government forces suppress opposition leaders, protestors, various voices of democracy including workers is now a total threat to the regions’ democratic gains and a serious concern not only to the country but to the region and unless the matter is resolved earliest, the region’s political stability and peace are likely to tumble.” Read part of the statement to the media.

EATUC is now calling upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to personally intervene besides the joint efforts being made by the East African Community (EAC) summit.  

At the same time, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, COTU (K) as the Affiliate Chair of EATUC appeals to the President to hasten the process of finding truce in Burundi since the Trade Union counterparts in Burundi continue to express fear and uncertainty over their members’ and workers’ lives.

EATUC has no doubt that Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the youngest President in the region will use his skills in speaking to his equally young colleague in Burundi and agree on how best to manage the crisis in the country without necessarily witnessing more bloodshed.