Burundi becoming an 'increasingly violent dictatorial regime' - rights group

A report by the International Federation for Human Rights, FIDH, has denounced the regime in Burundi, accusing the Bujumbura government of “dictatorship.”

A purge of ethnic Tutsis from the army, a crackdown on opposition and media and a bid to change the constitution to allow unlimited presidential terms are signs of an “increasingly violent dictatorial regime” the report read.

The report also denounces the ruling CNDD-FDD which it said was becoming the sole political party. It said the party had its flags placed at entrances to public schools and violent propaganda broadcast urging Burundians to be ready to fight and eliminate opponents.

It revealed accounts of Tutsi soldiers who have disappeared, been arrested or brutally tortured or found dead.

Nkurunziza is establishing a mono-ethnical army under the control of the authorities,“this would represent a major risk for peace in the country,” says the report ,as Burundi has a long history of violence between Hutu and Tutsi communities .

The NGO said it also denounces the international community’s lack of determination and invites it to deploy a UN police force to protect of civilians.

It also calls on the International Criminal Court to initiate an investigation before October 2017, when Burundi’s withdrawal from the institution will become effective.

AFP