The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed shock at the assassination of Burundi’s General Adolphe Nshimirimana, a former army Chief of Staff and head of Burundi’s intelligence which took place on Sunday in Bujumbura, the capital.
Dlamini took to her twitter account to condemn the assasination terming it as barbaric. She also urged Burundians to remain calm and called on the warring sides to resolve the conflict.
I strongly condemn this barbaric act that is likely to further destabilise #Burundi, & call on Burundians to exercise utmost restraint.
— Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) August 2, 2015
General Adolphe Nshimirimana was killed during an ambush on his car. Police reports say the car was hit by two rockets and sprayed with automatic gunfire. The assassination has sparked fears of a plunge into widespread violence in the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Chairperson expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased, and to the government of Burundi.
“The AU Commission Chairperson strongly condemns this barbaric act that is likely to further destabilize the country,” she said, calling on all Burundians to exercise utmost restraint, not be provoked and to refrain from any acts of retaliation that would only further escalate and complicate the already bad situation.
Dlamini Zuma urged the Burundian government, the opposition political parties and civil society to work very closely together to find a lasting solution to the current crisis.
The Chairperson reiterated the AU’s commitment to continue working with all parties to help bring back peace and stability to Burundi and end the suffering of its people.
Burundians must remain calm not be provoked; refrain from acts of retaliation that would further escalate the current delicate situation.
— Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) August 2, 2015
I urge the #Burundi gov't, opposition political parties & civil society to work closely to find a lasting solution to the current crisis.
— Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) August 2, 2015
The AU remains commitment to working with all parties to help bring back peace & stability to #Burundi & end the suffering of its people.
— Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) August 2, 2015
