Buhari Advocates Dialogue In Resolving Burundi’s Political Crisis

SAN FRANCISCO, April 05, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people and government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political differences in the country, noting that Nigeria would continue to support peace processes in the continent through the African Union, AU, which had already intervened in Burundi.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President stated this on Tuesday while receiving the former Burundian President, Mr. Pierre Buyoya, at the State House in Abuja.

Buhari held that since President Pierre Nkurunziza rejected the proposal of a ''stabilizing force from the AU, we can’t impose it on him, but we will continue to opt for dialogue.

''Nigeria has been playing a key role in the continent through the AU. We participated fully in ensuring a truce in Mali, and we want citizens to enjoy the impact of the truce, although the terrorists are not helping matters.

''Nigeria is always committed to regional and continental peace, and we will continue to do our best,'' he said.

The President informed his guest, who is the High Representative of the AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel, that he remained hopeful that there would be an amicable solution to the situation in Burundi.

In his remarks, the former President commended Nigeria for the role it played in restoring peace to Mali, adding that the AU was working to promote security in the Sahel, particularly through fighting trans-border terrorism.

He also urged Nigeria to use its clout to work for peace in Burundi, warning that the “country is gradually inching towards a civil war.”