International

Nkurunziza rejects UN police following violence in Burundi

Published

8 years ago

August 4, 2016

Nkurunziza rejects UN police following violence in Burundi

The President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has rejected the deployment of up to 228 United Nations police officers to monitor and possibly quell fresh violence which has thus far claimed 500 lives.

The President expressed his displeasure through government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba who conveyed his government’s disapproval following a UN Security Council resolution authorising the deployment of the UN force amid reports of serious abuses, including against the opposition.

“Sending a foreign force without prior consultation with authorities would be a violation of the country’s sovereignty,” Nzobonariba said in a statement.

“Burundi’s security forces are in control,” he added.

But Vital Nshimirimana, a prominent Burundian rights activist, urged the UN to proceed quickly with the deployment to save lives.

“The UN must stop listening to President Nkurunziza’s empty threats and come to Burundi to rescue the people of Burundi,” Nshimirimana said.

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