Burundi high on agenda of upcoming AU summit

A past African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. PHOTO | FILE 

By HENRY OWUOR in ADDIS ABABA

The 26th African Union Summit of heads of state and government, which will take place Saturday and Sunday, is heavily loaded with burning agenda items.

One of the issues is whether or not the heads of state arriving in Addis Ababa later this week will authorise the deployment of an armed force in the troubled central African country of Burundi.

Usually, most of the decisions at AU summits are made by the Council of Ministers well before the arrival of presidents who just endorse or reject the proposals.

Given that Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has already said that he will not allow a foreign force into his country, "the Burundi issue will suck the air as heads of state make the decision if they will allow the deployment of 5,000 troops in Burundi by the AU,'' says Dr Yann Bedzigui, Researcher, Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis at South Africa's Institute of Policy studies (ISS) who is here as an observer at the talks.

He adds: "Burundi already said No. The Chairman of the the talks will put a question that will require a majority of two thirds of the 54 AU member states.''

The signs are that this resolution will not pass as the Africa Union operates on the basis of non-interference in the international affairs of member states.

The other burning issue is South Sudan where the AU needs to get more involved because a unity government has not been formed.

South Sudan rebel forces have refused to join the government created by President Salva Kiir as a row rages over his decision to create extra regional states.

Also to be addressed will be terrorism in Somalia and the status of the Amisom peace-keeping force that has come under increasing attacks from the Al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab radicals.

Libya is also to be discussed as attempts are made to entrench a central government after the split caused by the vacuum caused by the ouster of the regime of long time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The summit will also address the creation of a new Peace and Security Council where all the 15 seats are now vacant. The question is whether or not the heavyweight nations should be given more powers.

These states include Ethiopia as the host, South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria. The irony is that even Burundi is a candidate to be on the Africa Peace and Security Council and can surely win a seat despite the instability in the country.

There is also the election of a new chairman of the AU Commission. The signs are that the current occupant of the post, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma may not seek a new term in July.

On Burundi, it is likely that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be urged to play a greater role in the country's peace process.

The same will apply to South Africa's Jacob Zuma. Also to be addressed is if Burundi should be suspended from the Amisom peace-keeping force in Somalia