U.S Criticizes Burundi President’s 3rd Term Inauguration

The United States of America said on Friday that political and security crises in Burundi would not end until stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue.

In a statement following Thursday’s inauguration of President Pierre Nkurunziza for a third term, the US State Department said that the inauguration violated the Arusha Agreement.

It also stated that the inauguration demonstrated the ruling party’s intent to ignore the voices of its people in pursuit of its own political agenda.

”An inauguration without a government that represents the population’s many political voices and without a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue will not resolve the political and security crisis in Burundi. The situation in Burundi is increasingly volatile and Nkurunziza’s ability to effectively govern the country remains in peril. This is especially as Burundi struggles with the continued aftermath of a deeply flawed electoral process, the closure of democratic space, a declining economy, and increasing violence.

An inclusive and comprehensive political dialogue is the only credible route to re-establish stability in Burundi and forge a peaceful and consensus path forward for the Burundian people.

Such a dialogue could begin to restore democratic credibility to the country by reaffirming the Arusha Agreement, reopening press outlets, releasing political prisoners, and reaching agreement on an electoral process going forward,’’ reads the statement.

The statement also contains verbiage stating that the recent violence and targeted killings highlighted the urgency in restarting dialogue and providing all stakeholders with a peaceful path forward.

The US expressed support for the efforts of Uganda, on behalf of the East African Community, to mediate and dialogue.It expressed belief that continued attention and support from the African Union, United Nations, and all states in the region ‘’will be critical to help bring Burundi back from the precipice.

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