Sisi meets with Burundi official, promotes bilateral ties

CAIRO – 16 May 2017: Egypt is keen on enhancing bilateral cooperation with Burundi, within the framework of utilizing the capacities of African countries, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi stated Tuesday in a meeting with General Ildéphonse Habarurema, Burundi’s chief of military bureau.

During the meeting, Habarurema emphasized the strength of the relations between Egypt and Burundi, and handed Sisi a letter from Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza, stating means to enhance bilateral relations and achieve common interests of both countries across various fields, according to a presidential statement.

Burundi General also praised Egypt’s supporting stance to his country in the international arena, especially within the UN Security Council and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. He stressed Burundi’s keenness to coordinate with Egypt regarding international and regional issues that relate to the African continent.

Sisi welcomed all efforts that push forward national discourse in Burundi, in order to achieve a political agreement that guarantees stability and satisfies Burundi people’s aspirations for development.

Burundi has witnessed severe unrest for over two years, ever since Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third presidential term, which contradicted with the constitution of the country, according to opposition parties and civil society organizations. Protestors took the streets, opposing the announcement, which was later approved by Burundi’s Supreme Court.

Since then, thousands of people have fled the country, hundreds have been arrested, and several protestors and police members have been killed and injured, according to civil society organizations and statements by the UN refugee agency.

Egypt has made several contributions to support Burundi’s people in light of the unrest, and promote bilateral cooperation.

Sisi met with Burundi’s Foreign Minister Alain Aimé Nyamitwe in April 2016 to discuss challenges and developments in Africa. He acknowledged bilateral ties between the two countries and praised Burundi government’s efforts to reach a common ground in terms of the water-sharing agreement with Nile Basin countries.

In March 2017, Egypt sent a convoy to deliver nutritional, medical, educational and recreational aids to Burundians. Two months earlier, a delegation of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy had also visited Burundi in the framework of an Egyptian plan to promote cooperation with African states.

In July 2016, Egypt refrained from voting on UN Security Council’s decision to intervene in Burundi, stressing that Burndi’s stance towards the intervention should have been taken into consideration to ensure its cooperation.