Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has signed a decree for the formation of a commission to oversee dialogue between the government and the opposition.

The Inter-Burundi Dialogue Commission will consist of 15 Burundians appointed according to the country’s Constitution, and will include three religious leaders,  three  political actors and two representatives from civil society organisations.

The Commission will operate for six months, on a renewable contract; their mandate is to conduct the dialogue countrywide and at all levels, a statement from the President’s Office read.

The commission will hold meetings, workshops and seminars for participants to debate on a roadmap to peace and to evaluate the Arusha agreement.

“After the meetings and seminars, the commission will present the report to the head of state with a copy to the Senate and parliament every three months. If the outcome from the dialogue needs a referendum to be conducted, then it will be held,” said President Nkurunziza while addressing the nation on the state broadcaster.

The president added that all pertinent issues will be brought to the table, including the Arusha Accord and the ceasefire agreement that was signed in Dar es Salaam.

“Inter-Burundi dialogue does not have to be monitored by external actors. Discussions moved on positively after forming the government of national unity,” said Burundi Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Nyamitwe.

Critics have already raised concern about the inclusiveness of the dialogue commission as most opposition and civil society leaders have fled the country.

A political analyst in Bujumbura said the president is now “strategically” pushing for a referendum to amend the country’s Constitution, especially on term limits.

The Burundian government has already issued international arrest warrants for opposition and civil society leaders who were involved in protests against the incumbent’s third term.

“We call on any country to deport or convict those people whose arrest warrants have been issued,” said President Nkurunziza in an earlier speech.

However, with the formation of the commission, the president said opposition members will be given immunity from arrest.

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Neutral venue

Opposition and civil society leaders who are in exile want the dialogue conducted at a neutral venue.

“Civil society organisations call on the international community to push the Burundian stakeholders to hold negotiations that are inclusive and respect the Arusha agreement. It should be conducted at a neutral venue,” said Vital Nshimirimana, a civil society leader and key organiser of the protests against President Nkurunziza’s third term.

In May, the African Union, the United Nations and the East African Community initiated the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, mediated by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, to bring stakeholders to the table.

However, the talks were suspended four times to let the elections proceed, and have not resumed since.

The dialogue facilitated by President Museveni, which started on July 14, was suspended after the Burundian government officials failed to turn up.