Burundi Crisis: AU will not allow another Genocide

The African Union has sent a strong warning to Burundi that it “will not allow another genocide on its soil“.

At least 400 people are reported to have been killed since 26 April, when protests began following President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would go for another term.

Over 220,000 people are said to have also fled the country to neighouring countries during this period according to the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

Reports indicate the political violence is escalating in the capital Bujumbura.

Africa will NOT allow another Genocide to take place on its soil: #PSC Members reiterate.

— African Union Peace (@AU_PSD) December 17, 2015

Killings must stop

Members of the AU Peace and Security Council on Thursday in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia after being updated on the situation in Burundi, called for the killings to stop immediately.

The Council also discussed possible deployment of AU forces to the country as a contingency measure.

A final communique on AU stances and next line of action on Burundi will be issued shortly according to the official account of the Council.

Bursting point

Meanwhile the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, says Burundi is at a bursting point, on the very cusp of a civil war

He told the Human Rights Councils Special Session on Burundi that the international community must take “robust, decisive“action to avert a civil war in the country.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein added “while the future of the county is in the hands of Burundian leaders, this Council has a clear responsibility to do all in its power to prevent the worst from materializing in Burundi in the coming days”.