East Africa: Tanzanian president, Burundian counterpart discuss Kenya

(SomaliNet) Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has held discussions with President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi on the political crisis in Kenya that has shaken the economic stability of some EAC states, including Burundi.

Addressing journalists, the Tanzanian President said they concurred that peaceful negotiations were the only way to end the political turmoil in Kenya.

“We believe Kenya will soon stabilize after the arrival of experienced politicians who will help negotiate a permanent solution to the crisis,” said President Kikwete.

The politicians that the President referred to are former UN Secretary General, Koffi Annan, former president of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa and the wife of the former South African president, Graca Machel.

“We discussed the modalities to ensure the safe return of Burundi refugees still in the country, the political settlement in Kenya and shipment of Burundi`s imported consignments through the port of Dar es Salaam, which had been diverted from the previous route of Mombasa,” he said.

President Nkurunziza informed President Kikwete on goods shortages in Burundi and the looming inflation as no cargo trucks were able to ply between Mombasa port and the Burundian capital of Bujumbura.-Guardian