Rwanda’s President Kagame tells Burundi’s Nkurunziza to step down

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has advised his Burundian counterpart, Pierre Nkurunziza to listen to citizens’ concerns first, before clinging on power.

“If your own citizens tell you we don’t want you to lead us, how do you say I am staying whether you want me or not,” Kagame said.

Kagame made the remarks on Friday, May 08, 2015, while speaking at the 45th St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.

It’s the first time Kagame directly spoke about Burundi issue.

The central African country, with a population of 10.4 million, is hit by political violence, after President Nkurunziza’s party-CNDD-FDD nominated him as its flag bearer for June 26 presidential elections.

Rwanda, a close neighbor, says is concerned on what’s happening in Burundi.

“My country is worried about Burundi,” Foreign Affairs Minister and government spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo tweeted this week.

International organizations including the African Union issued statements on Wednesday, putting pressure on President Nkurunziza’s government to turn away from violence and restore peace in the country.

On April 13, Kagame held talks with President Nkurunziza in Huye district, a border town to Burundi in Southern Rwanda. The two presidents discussed Burundi’s political turmoil and insecurity concerns that have caused an influx of thousands of Burundian refugees to Rwanda.

Over 25, 000 refugees had crossed into Rwanda, including Burundi Constitutional Court Vice President, Sylvere Mpagaritse.

For Kagame, “First responsibility lies with leaders of Burundi, they need to do more in order to stop movement of refugees.”

Mpagaritse accuses Burundi government of having forced the Constitutional Court to validate President Nkurunziza’s bid to seek a third term in office.

While in an interview with Cevat Giray, a researcher and economist at University of London, Kagame said that the issue of Burundi is not about third term but “it is about delivery.”

Meanwhile, Kagame spoke alongside other African leaders, business leaders and students at the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland.

The 45th St. Gallen Symposium is a global gathering of leaders of today and tomorrow. It takes place every year in May.