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BUJUMBURA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- An African Union (AU) delegation visiting Burundi since Wednesday have commended the ongoing dialogue to solve the country's year-long crisis.
"We came to accompany our brothers and sisters in Burundi through dialogue that they accepted themselves. We commend progress already made in the dialogue process and we encourage the government (of Burundi) to create a favorable environment so that the dialogue can reach sustainable peace and security," Lazare Makayat Safouesse, head of the 15-member AU Peace and Security Council delegation, said Thursday.
Safouesse expressed hope that Burundians will reach an agreement as they successfully reached another agreement in 2000, namely, the Arusha Agreement.
Safouesse, who is also ambassador of the Republic of Congo at AU, made the remarks after meeting with Burundian Senate President Reverien Ndikuriyo.
Burundian Senate spokesman Anicet Niyongabo told reporters that the delegates were requested to support the ongoing inter-Burundian dialogue.
"We requested them (the delegates) to advocate for Burundi so that the international community can continue to support our country to reach sustainable peace, to fight against poverty, and to reach sustainable development," said Niyongabo.
The delegates also met with Speaker of Burundian National Assembly Pascal Nyabenda and Burundian First Vice-President Gaston Sindimwo.
During the four-day visit, the delegates are expected to meet Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, representatives of the civil society and religious groups, to assess the east African country's political, humanitarian and security situation.
Burundi is facing a political turmoil that broke out since April 2015 following the announcement by President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would be seeking a third term.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.
Over 451 persons are reported to have been killed since then while some 270,000 citizens sought exile in neighboring countries. Enditem
