Burundi: President threatens to fight against AU peacekeepers

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has threatened to fight any attempt by the African Union to get involved in the current crisis is his country.

This follows the announcement by the AU two weeks ago that it would send 5000 troops to protect civilians, even without Nkurunziza’s consent – A proposal rejected by the government in Bujumbura.

According to reports, Nkurunziza said his country’s constitution allows an intervention by foreign troops only if the warring parties ask for it, or if there is no legitimate government in place,

He said any violation of those principles would be considered “an attack on the country and every Burundian will stand up and fight against them.

The AU wrote to the UN Security Council asking for “full UN support including the authorisation of a support package. No details of possible contributing nations have been given.

Nkurunziza’‘s stance is an outright rejection of Monday’s peace talks held by rival factions held talks in Uganda, which resumed long-stalled negotiations aimed at ending months of violence that raised fears of a return to civil war

At least 400 people have been killed and over 200 000 displaced since April.