Washington (June 4, 2015) — Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to not seek a third term as president of Burundi. President Nkurunziza has announced his bid for a third term in violation of Burundi’s constitution and the Arusha Accords, a peace agreement that ended the country’s ethnic civil war in 2000.

 

“Your troubling insistence on running for a disputed third term has already caused considerable turmoil for Burundi,” the senators wrote. “We hope you will use your political talents in the concluding days of your second term to work with opposition leaders to heal the wounds that have reopened in your nation.  The people of Burundi, particularly its next generation, deserve a future of opportunity free from political violence.”  

 

Full text of the senators’ letter:

 

June 4, 2015

 

His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza

President of the Republic of Burundi

Kiriri Presidential Palace

Bujumbura, Burundi

 

Dear President Nkurunziza,

 

We write with mounting concern about the political situation in Burundi and urge you to show the statesmanship needed to diffuse this brewing crisis.   A most immediate step would be to announce that you will not seek a third term as prohibited in your nation’s constitution and the Arusha peace agreement reached in 2000.  Doing so would be an important gesture in the best national interests and future of your country.

 

Your troubling insistence on running for a disputed third term has already caused considerable turmoil for Burundi – problems that are likely to only become worse.  Thousands have fled into neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – neither of which is equipped to handle such an influx.  Political tensions have been stoked, raising the real possibility of greater violence ahead of the presidential elections.  A further destabilizing attempt to forcibly overthrow the government has already occurred, placing fear in the hearts of the people that Burundi is turning away from its goal of a democratic society.  Your work after the devastating civil war to bring together different ethnic groups was admirable and your tenure should be remembered for those efforts and not these current events.  Moreover, you have a responsibility not to rekindle the passions and instability that contributed to that troubling period.

 

It is no coincidence that leaders from around the world, including many from your immediate region, have urged you to focus on Burundi’s future stability and to conclude your second term as president in an honorable way.  Both the African Union, whose first peacekeeping operation was in Burundi, and the East Africa Community have emphasized the importance of respecting the principles of the Arusha agreement as necessary for lasting peace and democratic governance.  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also called for you to listen to the public concern and warned that the current unrest was the result of your unconstitutional decision.  These appeals are done with great concern and out of friendship for the future of the Burundi people and post-civil war political institutions.  They should not be ignored.

 

We hope you will use your political talents in the concluding days of your second term to work with opposition leaders to heal the wounds that have reopened in your nation.  The people of Burundi, particularly its next generation, deserve a future of opportunity free from political violence.   

 

Sincerely,

 

RICHARD J. DURBIN

United States Senator

 

JOHN BOOZMAN

United States Senator

 

CHRISTOPHER COONS

United States Senator

 

JOHNNY ISAKSON

United States Senator

 

EDWARD MARKEY

United States Senator

 

PATRICK LEAHY

United States Senator

 

MARCO RUBIO

United States Senator

 

###