Bakili Muluzi off to Burundi on another peace mission

Former Malawi president Bakili Muluzi is expected to leave the country for Burundi this weekend as part of African Forum Peace and Solidarity Mission ahead of that country’s election this May and June.

An assembly of the former African heads of State and government met in Ethiopia end March this year and resolved to deploy to Burundi the team after Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African Union Commission, briefed the assembly about the situation in Burundi.

In an interview yesterday, Muluzi confirmed receiving communication from the executive secretary of African Forum and that he would be part of the team that will be in Burundi from this Monday to April 17 2015.

The former president explained that after the session in Ethiopia, the decision was made to deploy, as a matter of urgency, the African Forum Peace and Solidarity Mission to Burundi.

He said he has been informed that he would be part of the Goodwill Mission to Burundi to be led by Sir Quett Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana.

The mission’s terms of reference is to consult with all relevant stakeholders in Burundi with a view to contributing towards the promotion of peace before, during and after the elections, which are scheduled to be held in May and June.

The team is also expected to work towards reaching a common understanding with all relevant stakeholders in Burundi on the importance of peace and stability in the country and in the entire region.

Muluzi recently returned from Nigeria where he led a Commonwealth observer team during that country’s elections.