Ugandan Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga arrives in Burundi today to
lead discussions aimed at resolving tensions in the country ahead of the
rescheduled presidential vote on July 21.
Kiyonga will take over from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who only
arrived two days ago to lead negotiations.
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| Ugandan Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga (seen right) is taking over as mediator to the Burundi crisis |
Opposition and civil society groups disagree with regional leaders’
choice to pick Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as mediator.
However Burundian Foreign Minister Alan Nyamitwe said Museveni is
uniquely qualified to be mediator.
"President Museveni was the key architect of the inter-Burundian
talks in the '90s till 2005. Nobody has questioned his capacities then. Why
should they question his capacities today? For me, there is no doubt about the
capacity of President Museveni," said Nyamitwe.
Critics say two weeks is too short a time allotted for Museveni to
help negotiate with the two opposing groups to end the crisis.
Presidential elections are set to go ahead in five day’s time.