Tanzania appeals to UN to support peace process in Burundi, DR Congo

Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Thursday appealed to the United Nations to continue its support in bringing about peace and political stability in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

Magufuli made the appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when he made a stopover on his way from Kenya to New York, the headquarters of the UN.

The president said the recent instability in the two countries has created refugees' influx in Tanzania and its neighbors, calling for the need to restore political stability.

The message to the UN chief was delivered by the east African nation's Minister for Foreign Affairs Augustine Mahiga.

Mahiga said as the chair the East African Community (EAC), Tanzania was hopeful with the progress made in the mediation process in Burundi under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and facilitated by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

Mahiga also told Guterres that the forthcoming EAC Summit was expected to receive a progress report on the mediation process.

With regards to the DR Congo, Mahiga revealed that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was intending to include the agenda of political transition in DR Congo, whereby SADC member states were expecting positive deliberations.

Tanzania is the current chair of the SADC organ of political, defense and security with the mandate to support the achievement and maintenance of peace and security as well as the rule of law in the SADC region.

For his part, Guterres praised Tanzania for its ability to uphold principles of good governance in the country as well as maintaining peace and creating a peaceful environment in the EAC and SADC regions.

Guterres commended President Magufuli's efforts in the Burundi peace process, and his readiness to host refugees from Burundi, emphasizing the role played by regional communities in Africa in resolving leadership crisis in African countries.

"The United Nations appreciates the work done by President Mkapa in Burundi under the EAC and its leadership. If the region come together the way EAC has done in the case of Burundi, I am sure together they will be able to establish lasting solutions," said the former UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Magufuli met Guterres during the AU Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa early this year, where the two leaders exchanged cordial discussions about various issues concerning the region.

Source: Xinhua