AU calls for a consolidated security intervention in Burundi

A report by the African Union (AU) released on Friday has called for an international police force, more military and human rights observers to be deployed to Burundi.

A mission team from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights commenced its four-month investigation earlier this month.

The report stated that it is “necessary that, apart from strengthening AU human rights monitors and military observers, an international police mission be deployed.”

The report stressed that the international police force would help boost security and ensure “protection of people in areas mostly affected by violence and which continue to witness it.”

Hundreds of people have been killed since Burundi’s President Pierre Nkuruniza announced his decision on April 2015 to run for a third-term.

Nkurunziza won a disputed election in July, which triggered the uprising across the country.

The violence caused more than 260,000 people to flee, fearing possible genocide.

Last year, he turned down the AU’s proposal of deploying a 5000-strong peacekeeping force, saying that would be a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

He won a disputed election in July last year, which triggered the uprising across the country.

AGENCY