UN Assistant Secretary General for Africa, Ms Bintou Keita has challenged the women of Burundi to take the lead in accepting diversity and dissent, arguing that this not only allows for inclusive dialogue, but also enables the kind of public debate in which the general good is placed above all partisan interests.

Ms Keita was speaking on Thursday, 24 October 2019 at the opening of the 2^nd International Women Leaders’ Conference in Bujumbura, with several African First Ladies as well as women delegates from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania attending.

As observed by the ASG, the conference couldn’t be more timely, holding against the backdrop of calls for Burundians to give peace a chance in the build-up to the country’s general elections coming up next year.

Ms Keita, who is visiting Burundi for the second time in as many months, is scheduled to hold discussions over the next three days with top government officials and members of the diplomatic community in Bujumbura.