EDITORIAL: Burundi rivals must choose peace over violence

Talks between rival camps in the ongoing Burundi crisis resumed in Uganda, yesterday, with the mediators appealing to both sides to take the negotiations seriously if they are to save their country from going down the path of a deadly conflict. Under the mediation of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the latest round of peace talks is seen as a golden opportunity for Burundians to choose peace over violence and bloodletting, that has engulfed Rwanda’s southern neighbour since April when President Pierre Nkurunziza presented himself for re-election in what was seen as a constitutional coup, at least by large sections of the country’s civil society and opposition groups. The unrest has since driven hundreds of thousands of Burundians across the border, while hundreds have been killed, many by state apparatus in overnight raids, with many others becoming victims of illegal detentions and systemic torture. There are also very strong allegations from various sources that the government, backed by two dreaded militia groups – the Imbonerakure and the remnants of the Interahamwe militia (largely blamed for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda) – was steadily ethinicising the conflict which could potentially see a section of the population, the Tutsi, bearing the brunt of the conflict. And there are fears that, with the recent formation of an armed rebel group whose main objective is to remove the Bujumbura government, the situation is likely to deteriorate further, putting so many lives in danger. Meanwhile, the government has flatly rejected a move by the African Union to deploy a peacekeeping force that would help protect civilians – at least in certain parts of the country – further raising questions about the government’s intentions. All indications show that Burundi is at crossroads. That has been the case for a while now. And things could go horribly wrong if nothing is done to contain the situation now. With Bujumbura seemingly unwilling, or at least unable, to safeguard its people, the onus is one the region and the rest of the international community to help bring an end to the violence. Regional groupings such as the East African Community and African Union, as well as the UN Security Council must do everything possible to stop Burundi from descending further into anarchy. And, in the renewed peace talks lies the opportunity to arrest the situation before it’s too late. The parties involved need all the support to reach a settlement as soon as possible. Any further dithering and it will be like chasing the last train when it’s already too late.

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EDITORIAL: Burundi rivals must choose peace over violence