Hafsa Mossi Burundi’s Legislator at East African Legislative Assembly Assassinated
Questions have emerged at the ongoing 27th African Union Summit in Kigali,Rwanda on whether Burundi government planned the assassination of Hafsa Mossi- its MP in the East African parliament.
Hafsa Mossi was shot dead on Wednesday in Burundi capital Bujumbura.
On Monday 11, just a day before her assassination, Burundi government recalled its delegation at the summit, including its ambassador to African Union and two diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This caused suspicion among delegates at the Summit on whether Burundi government was behind the assassination plan.
The African Union has condemned the assassination, calling it a ‘barbaric act.”
“The Chairperson strongly condemns this barbaric act that is likely to further destabilise the country,” reads part of a statement signed by African Union Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Zuma called on all Burundians to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any acts of retaliation that would only further escalate and complicate the tension in the country.
Shortly after Hafsa Mossi assassination, Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo tweeted; “grieving for my Burundi-an friend Hafsa Mossi, just assassinated in Bujumbura! A good woman and dedicated politician. RIP sister.”
The chairperson of AU further called Burundians to iron out their differences through an inclusive dialogue.
“Only inclusive dialogue, based on the respect of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and the Constitution of Burundi, can pave the way for a lasting political solution that will help to consolidate and preserve peace, as well as deepen democracy and rule of law in the country.”
Burundi peace talks resumed on Tuesday in Arusha-Tanzania, but hit a snag when government delegation walked out of the conference hall in a protest against civil society members.
The delegation accused them of playing an active role in a failed coup. Burundi has sunk into the political turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza declared a decision to vie for a third term in office.
Nearly 400 people were killed and thousands of Burundians took refuge in the neighbouring countries.
Rwanda hosts more than 100,000 Burundian refugees.
