EALA condemns Burundian legislator Hafsa Mossi killing

The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Daniel F. Kidega, has strongly condemned the killing on Wednesday of Burundian representative, MP Hafsa Mossi, by unknown gunmen in Bujumbura. The Speaker “strongly condemned the killing” of the legislator and eulogised the late Mossi as a hard working Member of the Assembly, who was committed to the ideals of the integration. In a statement, the EALA Speaker who is currently in Uganda on official duty, urged the Government of Burundi to immediately apprehend the assailants. Kidega said: “My deep-felt condolences to the Government, family and friends as well as to the citizens of Burundi. “I appeal for calm at this point and hope the authorities will move fast to ensure those behind the barbaric and cowardly act are immediately apprehended.” The deceased has been the chairperson of Burundi’s EALA Chapter. Mossi was shot dead by unknown assailants Wednesday morning in eastern Mutanga, in Bujumbura. According to EALA, dispatch from Burundi Police spokesperson, Pierre Nkurikiye, confirmed that unknown assailants fatally shot Mossi near her home. Mossi was Burundi’s former Minister for East African Community Affairs until June 2012, when she was elected a member of EALA. She is also a former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) producer. After reports of her death broke earlier on Wednesday, Rwanda’s foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo tweeted: “Grieving for my Burundian friend, Hafsa Mossi, just assassinated in Bujumbura! A good woman and dedicated politician. RIP sister!” Mossi was in Rwanda mid last year as part of EALA’s goodwill mission comprising the assembly Standing Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution, to assess the situation in camps hosting Burundians refugees. In the camp, she broke down on several occasions during interactions with the refugees. During her visit to Mahama, Mossi told The New Times that she was carrying a message of hope. “Nobody can flee his or her country when he or she is safe,” Mossi said at the time. “My message is to encourage them and to give them hope that the dialogue has started in the country, and that maybe, we should hope that in the next few months things will become normal so that they can go back home.” UN chief condemns Meanwhile the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the assassination of Mossi and equally extended his deepest condolences to the grieved family. “This despicable act of violence only serves to promote divisions, entrench mistrust, and destabilise the country,” said a statement issued by Bans spokesperson. The Secretary-General in his statement reiterated the need to intensify efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the crisis in Burundi and called on all parties concerned to engage fully and in good faith in the peace process led by the EAC. “The United Nations will continue to provide assistance to the EAC-led dialogue process and its Facilitator, former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa,” the statement concluded. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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EALA condemns Burundian legislator Hafsa Mossi killing