Inter-Burundi Dialogue
The East African Community commends H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Mediator and the Facilitator, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania for successfully conducting the Inter-Burundi Dialogue (IBD). Indeed, the Government of Burundi and most of the key political parties and civil society organisations have been able to participate in the consultations. The participation of the Burundian stakeholders has increased significantly during the recent consultations held from 21st to 24th May 2016, in Arusha, Tanzania.
However, the Office of the Secretary General of the East African Community notes with concern the continued and persistent misleading reporting by both local and international media, as well as other organisations on the role of the EAC Secretariat in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue. The Office of the Secretary General would like to set the record straight as follows:
As put clearly by the Facilitator, the Inter-Burundi Dialogue is an EAC-led process under the Mediatorship of H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, a Member of the EAC Heads of State Summit. The Summit appointed former President Benjamin William Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania as the Facilitator of the Dialogue to support the Mediator.
As per the EAC Treaty requirement, the EAC Secretariat implements Council and Summit Directives. Therefore, the EAC Secretariat headed by the Secretary General, who is also the Secretary to the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, has the obligation to give technical and logistical support to the activities of the Facilitator. However, the Facilitator is fully responsible for the conduct of the Dialogue.
The East African Community joins the Facilitator in supporting an inclusive Dialogue and congratulates the Burundi Government Officials, former Heads of State, the National Commission for Inter-Burundi Dialogue (CNDI), Political Parties, Civil Society Organisations, prominent Political Actors inside and outside Burundi, as well as the Media, Women and Youth Groups who spared their valuable time to come to Arusha to take part in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue from 21st to 24th May 2016 at the Arusha International Conference Centre.
The Office of the Secretary General informs the general public that the Inter-Burundi Dialogue is an open and transparent process. Information on the dialogue process will constantly be made available on the EAC website (www.eac.int).