Burundi's Opposition to Boycott Inter-Burundian Dialogue

The Opposition in Burundi boycotted the launch of an “Inter-Burundian” dialogue organised by an ad hoc committee set up by the government.

The talks are aimed at finding solution to the political crisis that has engulfed the country.

The opposition has already said it will not participate in the talks.

“We will begin the Inter-Burundian dialogue on Tuesday,” said Nzoyisaba Justin Bishop, President of the National Commission of the Inter-Burundian Dialogue.

This is the first debate which will bring together some 400 representatives of religious denominations, political parties, civil society, youth, military and police.

It will be held in Kirundo in the north eastern part of the country, and then in other localities including Bujumbura in the coming days.

Tuesday’s start of the dialogue will coincide with the imminent arrival in Bujumbura of a delegation of the UN Security Council.

This is not the first time that dialogue to mediate the political crisis in Burundi will be taking place.

At the beginning of this month, peace talks between Burundi’s government and opposition groups were postponed, with no word on when they may resume.