UN envoys push for peace in Burundi

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza (centre) poses with his first and second vice-presidents Gaston Sindimwo (left) and Dr Joseph Mutore after being sworn in for a controversial third term in power, at the Congress Palace in Kigobe district, Bujumbura on August 20, 2015. UN Security Council ambassadors met Burundi’s leaders on Friday to push peace efforts after another night of violence in Bujumbura on Thursday. PHOTO | LANDRY NSHIMIYE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • UN Security Council ambassadors met Burundi’s leaders on Friday to push peace efforts after another night of violence in the capital of the troubled central African nation.
  • The visit is the council’s second to Burundi in less than a year, with ambassadors set to deliver a face-to-face message to Pierre Nkurunziza later to take urgent action to stop the violence sparked by his re-election bid.
  • The UN has warned that the violence could escalate into ethnic killings and mass atrocities.

BUJUMBURA

UN Security Council ambassadors met Burundi’s leaders on Friday to push peace efforts after another night of violence in the capital of the troubled central African nation.

Clashes in Bujumbura on Thursday left one person dead and another wounded, violence that has become a near nightly event in the city.

The 15 council members were greeted on arrival on Thursday by pro-government demonstrators, telling them to stop meddling.

The visit is the council’s second to Burundi in less than a year, with ambassadors set to deliver a face-to-face message to Pierre Nkurunziza later to take urgent action to stop the violence sparked by his re-election bid.

They first met on Friday morning with Vice-President Gaston Sindimwo, who admitted to the diplomats that it was “true there are problems”, but insisted “the government will do everything in its power to bring peace and security”.

More than 400 people have died since April, when Nkurunziza announced his ultimately successful re-election bid, and at least 230,000 have fled to neighbouring countries.

ETHNIC KILLINGS

The UN has warned that the violence could escalate into ethnic killings and mass atrocities.

At the same time, the African Union says its proposed peacekeeping mission to Burundi will have a duty to guard against “potential infiltration by foreign militia” into the central African country.

In the latest attempt to appease authorities in Bujumbura to accept the 5,000 troops, the AU Peace and Security Council on Thursday said the peacekeepers will mainly be charged with protecting civilians, key political leaders and other actors involved in peace talks.

“The objective of the mission is to help create an environment for the achievement of lasting peace in Burundi,” AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui said on Thursday.

AU leaders due to meet in Addis Ababa next week are expected to discuss the situation in Burundi.