Kigali - Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed her horror at the assassination of Hasfa Mossi, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly and a former minister in Burundi, in the capital Bujumbura on Wednesday.
Dlamini Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson (AUC), currently attending the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, condemned the “barbaric act” and called on all Burundians to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any acts of retaliation that would only further escalate and complicate the tension in the country.
The Chairperson further expressed her sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, and to the people and Government of Burundi, as well as to the East African Legislative Assembly.
Dlamini-Zuma added that only inclusive dialogue, based on the respect of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, and the Constitution of Burundi, could pave the way for a lasting political solution that would help to consolidate and preserve peace, as well as deepen democracy and the rule of law in the country.
She further commended the efforts deployed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, East African Community Mediator, with the support of former President Mkapa Benjamin, Facilitator of the ongoing Inter-Burundian Dialogue.
The South African politician also urged the Burundian Government, the opposition political parties and civil society to engage faithfully in an inclusive dialogue and work very closely together to find a lasting solution to the current crisis.
Dlamini-Zuma also 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.
African News Agency