Burundi Crisis: President Lungu and Hollande advocate "inclusive dialogue"

Zambian President Edgar Lungu and his counterpart François Hollande of France on Monday advocated an “inclusive dialogue between the government and opposition” in Burundi to end the political crisis.

This was the first official visit to Paris by a head of the Zambian government since 1983.

During a meeting at the Elysee Palace, President Lungu and Francois Hollande “reiterated their commitment to an inclusive dialogue between the government and opposition, to restore balance and stability borne out of the Arusha accords” that ended the civil war from 1993 to 2006. In a statement, the two leaders also “welcomed the continuation of the electoral process” in the Central African Republic.

President Hollande also “expressed his willingness to develop political and economic relations with Zambia”.

The Zambian President ended his visits with the signing of a number of agreements in the fields of education and research, tourism among others.