Dr Augustine Mahiga – Tanzania Minister of Foreign Affairs

While responding to questions from journalists at a news conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Minister of Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga revealed yesterday how Tanzania played a key diplomatic role in overturning a resolution by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, which had proposed deployment of 5,000 troops to quell the violence in Burundi.

“Deployment of the troops against the will of the government of Burundi would have worsened the situation and leave no room for mediation. President John Magufuli directed me to the Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Zuma, who understood our position and eventually insisted for mediation under President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda to continue,” he explained.

Dr Mahiga revealed that the first assignment he received from President Magufuli was engaging regional and international players in solving the political impasse in Burundi.

“Fifteen minutes after I was sworn in, President Magufuli directed me to meet with my colleagues in the defense docket on how we can engage other partners to solve the crisis there.

In fact I will be travelling to Rwanda tomorrow (today) as we continue to engage partners in the region,” the minister stated. He explained further that the government of Tanzania had managed to convince President Pierre Nkuruzinza of Burundi to attend mediation meetings to be conducted in Kampala by President Museveni.

source: dailynews.co.tz