Int’l bodies fear Burundi violence may lead to genocide

With rising fear among civilians in troubled Burundi and no end in sight following unending wave of unrest, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned what he said is “inflammatory rhetoric” amid growing concern at the escalating violence.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) based in Brussels said the language is “chillingly similar” to that used in Rwanda before the genocide of 1994.

In a statement, Ki-moon said the discovery of bodies in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, was now a regular occurrence – and many victims showed evidence of summary execution.

Mr Ban said Burundian authorities had a responsibility to protect civilians.

France has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the crisis.

The ICG and others were commenting on remarks by Burundi’s Senate President, Reverien Ndikuriyo – who threatened to “pulverise” opponents who did not lay down arms.

President Pierre Nkurunziza had issued an ultimatum for gunmen to lay down their weapons this weekend.

Read also: Burundi cameraman, family killed by police

The violence began in April when the president said he would stand again, arguing that his first term as president did not count towards the constitutional two-term limit as he was chosen by MPs.

Mr Nkurunziza was duly re-elected to a third term with 70% of the vote in July.

This weekend’s weapons ultimatum has led to a spike in killings.

Thomas Perriello, the US special envoy for the Great Lakes region, told the BBC it was not too late for Burundi to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict:

“There is still time for [peace talks], though obviously the language of ultimatums, the language of ‘last calls’, senior government officials talking about ‘exterminating and pulverising’ enemies – this is the worst kind of rhetoric to try to de-escalate the situation.”

Uganda is leading regional efforts to broker peace talks.

Credit: BBC Africa

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now