Burundi crisis mediator in talks with Nkurunziza

Former Tanzanian President and mediator in the Burundian crisis Benjamin Mkapa met Friday with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and expressed hope that there will be an end to violence in the small central African nation.

“I had an in-depth briefing with the Burundian president. I hope that the peace stability that has characterized the first ten years of the Arusha peace process will continue. I hope there will be an end to violence that took place in Burundi during the last couple of months,” said Mkapa.

“The facilitation will see how to combine both internal and external dialogue over #Burundi“: #Mkapa pic.twitter.com/o6Va5GBAwI

— KARERWA NDENZAKO (@KARERWA1) March 18, 2016

He also indicated that he wanted to assure President Nkurunziza that there has to be an end to any “silly speculations” about possible violence or confrontations or war between members of the East Africa Community (EAC) on developments in Burundi, Rwanda or Tanzania.

“We are a community, neighbors and we really must live in peace together, cooperate and develop together,” said Mkapa.

He said that he was on a regional tour during which he met Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, the EAC appointed main facilitator and Rwandan head Paul Kagame.

HE .KagutaMuseveni received former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa who briefed him on the situation in Burundi pic.twitter.com/nzboVLQ6gL

— Uganda Media Centre (UgandaMediaCent) March 16, 2016

During the briefing, Burundian President Nkurunziza told reporters that he had informed Mkapa about Rwanda’s interference in the Burundi’s crisis.

Tensions between the two countries have deteriorated after Bujumbura accused Kigali of sending spies to its borders, a charge Rwanda has denied.