THE mayor of Burundi’s capital urged calm as hundreds of people fled violence in parts of the city and the USA warned that President Pierre Nkurunziza’s ultimatum to his opponents could spur wider bloodshed.
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“The United States is alarmed by the escalating violence in Burundi and risky, irresponsible rhetoric on the part of the government, loyalist militias, violent anti-government forces and criminal elements”, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said in a statement obtained by Reuters. “The Secretary-General underlines the responsibility of the Burundian authorities to protect the civilian population, regardless of political affiliation, and ensure that the widespread impunity for these heinous acts is brought to an immediate end”.
“Inflammatory rhetoric is reprehensible and risky (and) will only serve to aggravate the situation in the country”.
Weeks after UN-backed experts warned that thousands are dying of starvation in South Sudan war zones, aid agencies say they can not access areas to stave off famine because of “spiralling” violence…
The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss Burundi as “hate speech” threatens to exacerbate a deteriorating political situation, the French foreign ministry said Friday.
“Should any conduct in Burundi amount to war crimes, no-one should doubt my resolve… that the perpetrators do not go unpunished”, Bensouda said.
Nkurunziza’s ultimately successful bid to stand again in July elections plunged Burundi into crisis, triggering an ultimately failed coup a decade after the country emerged from civil war. Critics say his move violated the constitution, though he cited a legal ruling that allowed it.
Opposition politicians in Burundi say they face a crackdown and droves of people have been seen leaving their homes in the capital Bujumbura in recent days.
At least 200 people have died in the latest turmoil and 200,000 have fled the country, recalling a few of the darkest periods of recent history in the Great Lakes region of east central Africa.
However, the Colombian points out that the current worldwide system is the “best we have and we need to make it work”, saying that this “should not be impossible for the global community to deal with”.
Ndikuriyo’s office was not immediately available to comment on his reported quote.
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The U.S.is concerned the ultimatum “will trigger widespread violence beginning this coming weekend”, Power said.
