Stay away from Burundi, Nkurunziza warns AU peacekeepers

Following the violence that erupted in Burundi after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office which was followed by a coup in May, there have been rising fears in some quarters that the violence in Burundi especially in the capital of Bujumbura could spiral into civil war and possible ethnic conflict.

That fear made the AU announce about two weeks ago that it would send 5,000 troops to protect civilians in the country, even without the government’s consent.

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But President Nkurunziza is having none of that as he has threatened to fight African Union peacekeepers if they are deployed to the country.
“Everyone has to respect Burundi borders,” Mr Nkurunziza said in his first public response to the AU plan.
At least 400 people have been killed and another 220,000 displaced since violence erupted in April.

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