Burundi crisis: African Union ‘won’t allow genocide’

The African Union, discussing the situation in Burundi, says Africa will “not allow another genocide to take place on its soil”.

burundi crisis

There are concerns that the recent deadly violence could spiral into civil war and possible ethnic conflict.

Last Friday, 87 people were killed in clashes in the capital, Bujumbura, the army said.

Protests in Burundi began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office

AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smail Chergui has tweeted that the “clear” message coming from the AU is that the “killings in Burundi must stop immediately”.

The government has said there is no threat of genocide.

Protesters throw rocks during clashes with police in Cibitoke, north-western Burundi, on April 26, 2015Image copyrightAFP
Image captionPolitical violence has been escalating in Burundi

The AU’s peace and security council has been discussing sending an AU force to Burundi.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Thursday that “Burundi is at bursting point, on the very cusp of a civil war” which could have “ethnic overtones” similar to past conflicts in Burundi.

Ethnic conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in the 1990s claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

Source: BBC

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