Burundi’s president Pierre Nkurunziza has promised to hold talks, free prisoners and lift arrest warrants, to try to end months of violence, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said after the two leaders met in Bujumbura.
Ban told reporters that Nkurunziza has also assured him that media restrictions would be lifted during their session.
Ban flew into Burundi yesterday to try and facilitate dialogue between the East African country’s rival parties, in order to stop the violence into escalating into genocide.
Burundi descended into violence in April last year after President Nkurunziza declared his bid for a controversial third term in office, going on to win the July poll.
More than 400 people have been killed in the ensuing clashes with thousands others fleeing to neighbouring countries.
Ban met leaders of political parties in the capital Bujumbura after arriving on Monday night, then went to the president’s office on Tuesday.
“I was very encouraged that the political leaders whether they are …in government or the ruling party or opposition, they promised that they will engage in inclusive dialogue. This is what President Nkurunziza also confirmed,” Ban said.
South Africa said President Jacob Zuma will also fly to Bujumbura on Feb. 25-26 with the leaders of Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon and Ethiopia to “assist with addressing the political situation”.
