Analysts Opposed To Zimbabwe's Involvement In Burundi's Bid To Join SADC
Some Zimbabweans are opposed to Zimbabwe’s involvement in Burundi’s bid to be admitted into the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Dewa Mavinga, the director of Human Rights Watch, Southern Africa is concerned with Burundi’s poor record on human rights. He is also concerned by President Nkurunziza’s amendment of the constitution in 2015.
Mavhinga said that Burundi has had issues with the constitution human rights record and factor that into its decision to admit it. He said:
There are a lot of problems taking place in Burundi that involve serious human rights violations, and that is what is forcing Burundi to have to send an envoy to Zimbabwe to help make a case for it to be admitted to SADC.
Paradza who responded to the above message said:
Burundi is part of the African Union, Burundi is part of COMESA, if there are any misdemeanors which are offending human rights advocates, surely they must go and have that sorted out with the African Union. You are aware that even within the African Union, there’s the Human Rights Commission, so I think, let’s not mix issues.
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