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Kikwete meets M-7 over Burundi, Somalia crises
2008-05-02 09:26:10
By Kampala
President Jakaya Kikwete in Uganda for a two day visit since his arrival on Wednesday, has held talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Kikwete is also the chairman of the African Union.
Sources said he was expected to discuss with Museveni the renewed fighting in Burundi between PALIPEHUTU-FNL Movement and the government forces.
Museveni chairs the regional peace initiative on Burundi and Kikwete is his deputy.
The stalled Juba peace talks and the insurgency in Somalia would also be on the agenda.
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza asked Kikwete to intervene after the recent clashes in the capital Bujumbura and four western provinces, which left 38 people dead.
Last week, Kikwete directed his government officials to meet rebel leader Agathon Rwasa.
The rebels wants power-sharing, which Bujumbura rejects.
Last week, Museveni discussed the worsening situation in Burundi with Laberata Mulamula, the executive secretary of the International Conference on Peace and Security in the Great Lakes region.
In a statement, the organisation said the fighting had gravely endangered the security situation in the country and undermined regional and international initiatives to bring lasting peace and stability to Burundi.
It called upon the parties to return to the negotiating table and respect the commitments they undertook with regard to the implementation of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
Museveni chaired the negotiations that led to the signing of a peace deal between the rebels and Nkurunzizi’s government in September 2006.
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