5th April, 2016
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged the people and Government of Burundi to explore dialogue in resolving the current political differences in the country.
The president stated this when he received the former Burundian President, Mr Pierre Buyoya, at the State House, Abuja.
He assured that Nigeria would continue to support peace processes in the continent through the African Union (AU), which had already intervened in Burundi.
The president said that since President Pierre Nkurunziza rejected the proposal of a “stabilizing force from the AU, we can’t impose it on him, but we will continue to opt for dialogue.
“Nigeria has been playing a key role in the continent through the AU.
“We participated fully in ensuring a truce in Mali, and we want citizens to enjoy the impact of the truce although the terrorists are not helping matters.
“Nigeria is always committed to regional and continental peace, and we will continue to do our best,” he said.
He expressed optimism that there would be an amicable solution to the situation in Burundi.
In his remarks, Buyoya, who is the High Representative of the AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel, commended Nigeria for the role it played in restoring peace to Mali.
He stated that the AU was working to promote security in the Sahel, particularly through fighting trans-border terrorism.
Buyoya also urged Nigeria to use its clout to work for peace in Burundi, warning that the “country is gradually inching towards a civil war”.