The President’s special envoy, Principal Secretary for Interior, Dr Karanja Kibicho, delivered a Special Message to President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi/file
The President’s special envoy, Principal Secretary for Interior, Dr Karanja Kibicho, delivered a Special Message to President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.
Kibicho also met political and religious leaders and visited the Burundi countryside.
“The President called for a cessation of violence and urged all Burundian stakeholders in the current conflict to embrace honest and inclusive dialogue as the only way to secure sustainable peace in the country. This, Kenya believes, is the emphatic desire and demand of the Burundian people,” State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said in a statement.
In his message President Kenyatta expressed deep concern at the unfolding events in Burundi and condemned the use of violence to pursue political objectives.
“In this regard, Kenya supports the mediation efforts led by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, under the auspices of the East African Community, and looks forward to the speedy commencement of the inter-Burundian dialogue process,” the statement continued.
According to Esipisu, President Kenyatta believes that the August 2000 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, of which Kenya is a Guarantor, forms an important basis for the attainment of peace, security, and stability in Burundi.
President Kenyatta commended the people of Burundi who have demonstrated a desire for peace and a steady rejection of violence.
“Indeed, we are reminded of the suffering they have experienced in past years of conflict and can see for ourselves their desire to embrace peace. Their dream must not be disappointed,” President Kenyatta said in his message.
“The leaders of Burundi must place the interest of their nation; the aspirations and safety of their people; and the destiny of future generations at the fore of their activities in the weeks and months to come. The guns must be silenced. Peace must prevail.”
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