Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has met his Burundian counterpart
and opposition party officials, in an attempt to defuse tension and prevent a
looming conflict before next week’s presidential election.
Museveni met with President Pierre Nkurunziza, followed by meetings
with officials including supporters of opposition leader Agathon Rwasa and the
anti-government faction of the Union for National Progress, according to a
report from Bloomberg news.
Museveni also met representatives of civil society and officials from
the ADC-Ikibiri, a coalition of 10 political parties.
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| Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (seen right) is mediating between the Burundian government and opposition |
Burundi Vice President Prosper Bazombanza told Museveni the government
has disarmed youth groups “who had been disturbing people”.
There are widespread allegations the youth wing of President Nkurunziza ruling party, known as Imbonerakure, is responsible for ethnic and political killings against those who oppose Nkurunziza.
The presidential vote is scheduled for July 21.
At least 77 people have died in Burundi since clashes erupted between
security forces and protesters who took to the streets after Nkurunziza was
nominated in late April to seek re-election, a move opponents say violates a
two-term limit.