President Robert Mugabe is not guilty of allowing the continued bloodshed in the Burundi conflict during his term as Africa Union chair, his spokesman says while laying the blame on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Mr George Charamba says Mugabe did not neglect Burundi. He defended his boss saying contrary to the said “misconception” that Mugabe did very little to solve the conflict, he actually did all he could within his means but was limited by jurisdiction.
Charamba said “the procedure of the AU is not to run everything from the centre, but rather it is to build from the blocs.”
“The instrument of first intervention is always the regional entity, it is the organ of first instance in conflict resolution. In the case of Burundi, that organ would be the East African Community (EAC) through President (Yoweri) Museveni, which explains why the President of Uganda is the point man for Africa on Burundi,” said Charamba.
“The EAC initiative on Burundi is in full swing, and they have not indicated to the AU that they have run into a cul-de-sac. It would have been premature for the then AU Chairman to invite himself into Burundi as he worked on the recommendation of the regional bloc concerned,” he added.
Charamba also said the decision to intervene militarily in a sovereign country with a standing government is a very heavy one as it involves lives, peace and security.
“We are all seeing the horror of Libya which came about because of precipitous interventions,” said Charamba, adding that the then chairman was strictly procedural, circumspect and mindful on the issue of military intervention.
One Reply to “Mugabe Innocent Of “Burundi Bloodshed”, Says Charamba”
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That’s a good remark Mr Charamba, the Burundi’s crisis can best be handled by President Museveni who is also known to be a warmonger. Another reason behind the escalation of Burundi’s horrible killings is that, the person (Mr Museveni) who is responsible for bringing an end to the conflict is the contestant for the Uganda 2016 Presidential elections and therefore, the African Union should have backed and must bark at him to play his part. My now is, what about South Sudan?