Burundi reiterates 'No' to AU Peacekeepers

Burundi has reiterated it will not accept African Union peacekeepers on its soil. The African union had given the country till Tuesday to agree to accept 5000 strong peacekeeping force to curb the ongoing violence the country.

A statement from the National Security Council, read to the press on Tuesday by the Burundi Minister of Public Security, General Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, said the threat of genocide justifying “this deployment is only a plot of government critics” and Burundi, which is “one of the troop-contributing countries in Africa and elsewhere”, “is able (to) ensure the safety of its people.”

The National Security Council is considered one of the main decision making bodies in Burundi, made up of President Nkurunziza, the two Vice Presidents, Ministers, Heads of the various security forces amongst others.

No foreign force

The African Union Peace and SecurIty Council agreed on Friday to deploy a 5000 strong peace keeping force to be known as the African Prevention and Protection Mission (MAPROBU) for six months, subject to renewal.

The primary role of the peacekeepers is to “prevent any deterioration of the security situation” in the country and protect civilians. They will be expected to also “contribute to the creation of the necessary conditions for the successful dialogue between parties”.

But the Burundian government quickly rejected the deployment and warned that the mission would be considered as “forces of invasion and occupation”

Violence erupted in Burundi after protesters rejected President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term in office in April and a failed coup in May.