Burundi presidential camp withdraws from political dialogue

 Burundi's presidential camp over the weekend decided to suspend its participation in the political dialogue that began last Wednesday to find a compromise over points of disagreement on the forthcoming elections.

The presidential camp took the decision just three days to the presidential polls set for July 21, 2015.

The dialogue was being presided over by Crispus Kiyonga, Uganda's National Defense Minister and special envoy of Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is the new international facilitator for the inter-Burundi dialogue.

Burundi's Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana who is the spokesman for the governmental group in the dialogue justified the withdrawal, alluding to the declaration by some opposition figures calling for the creation of a National Council for the Restoration of Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi.

"There was no way of continuing with dialogue at a time when some people were preparing for other things. This is why we have asked for a temporary suspension of the talks to give the special envoy some time to ponder over that declaration and report back to the facilitator who sent him. But it is also upon us as government to examine whether we need to continue with this dialogue," Nduwimana said.

Burundi was plunged in a political crisis following the announcement by President Pierre Nkurunziza that he will be contesting for a third term during the forthcoming presidential elections.

The opposition and civil society groups objected to his candidature, arguing that the Arusha Agreement stipulated that presidents serve for only two terms, something Nkurunziza had done since 2005.

According to Jean Minani, the opposition spokesman in the dialogue, "the minister's remarks were excuses aimed at avoiding discussion on the key political concerns which include Nkurunziza's disputed third term bid and the electoral timetable."

Four candidates have expressed interest to contest in the July 21 elections. They include incumbent president Nkurunziza, Gerard Nduwayo of the UPRONA party, Jacques Bigirimana of FNL party and Jean de Dieu Mutabazi of COPA coalition.

Former presidents Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, Domitien Ndayizeye and Jean Minani withdrew their candidature, citing lack of inclusivity and absence ideal conditions for holding elections.