Editor,

RE: "How effective is the R2P doctrine?” (The New Times, January 21).

The AU is planning to send troops to Burundi but I am afraid this might not work. The AU involved the UN in this plan but the latter said that they are less equipped to address conflicts in Burundi.

In my opinion, AU’s plan and effort might fail if they don’t change strategy. Instead of sending troops, why not set up diplomatic forums that the Burundi government and her oppositions are welcomed in finding resolutions and principles that end the conflicts?

Sending troops to this volatile country requires a big budget compared to diplomatic forums. Diplomatic forums are more effective because they create principles that help Burundi find her solutions.

As an African, I am disappointed to see AU being reluctant and less creative in creating strategic frameworks that meet the domestic issues on the continent.

The AU needs to work with East African Community. EAC would be the mediate facilitator for AU, and not UN, in finding working solutions for Burundi.

The diplomatic forums strategy will involve intergovernmental decisions. It will need delegated committees and heads to make sure set goals are achieved on time and proper study conducted.

I want to remind AU to review their strategies and save Burundians’ lives by using available means in Africa.I will make the same call to Burundians: please stop killing one another. The solution to your conflicts is within yourselves. You need one another in building your nation.

Fidele Nizeyimana