The United States of America (USA) is calling for political dialogue in Burundi where all the leaders in East African Community should contribute.
The envoy told the press after the meeting with President Kagame about his new role as the US Special Envoy to the region and discuss the ongoing crisis in Burundi and the FDLR.
“The most important issue is for leaders on both sides to call for a peaceful solution and a political dialogue must be reconvened with leadership of the East African Community and the International Community”. Perriello said.
Thomas Perriello, US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region
“The FDLR was also something we discussed with President Kagame and this is something my predecessor felt as well, that there is frustration for the lack of progress against FDLR and we will continue to push for progress and express our frustrations where we see no progress being made.”
Tom Perriello who was appointed as the new US Special Envoy to the Great Lake Region on July 6, also served as a consultant to the International Center for Transitional Justice in Kosovo, Darfur, and Afghanistan, and was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2008 until 2010.
Periello also noted that Burundi is at a critical stage where it needs regional leaders support and members of the international community.
Violence has been escalating in Burundi since April 2015 when the ruling political party announced President Pierre Nkurunziza as their presidential candidate to run for a third term.