AFRICA/BURUNDI - Skepticism from the opposition about the possible dispatch of UN police officers in Burundi

Friday, 8 April 2016 paramilitary groups   un  

Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - "The decision of the UN Security Council to send an international contingent of police was welcomed with strong skepticism by the opposition and civil society. In their view, this will not help if on behalf of those in power there is no will to implement a genuine inclusive dialogue with all opposition forces and civil society, to resolve the crisis created by the third term obtained by President Pierre Nkurunziza in violation of the Constitution and of the Arusha peace agreement", say to Fides local sources from Burundi.
On 1 April the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that sets the basis for UN police deployment in Burundi. The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is requested to consult with the government of Burundi and to coordinate with the African Union in order to submit, within 15 days, options for the deployment of UN officials to increase the monitoring of the situation of security, promote respect for human rights and advance the rule of law.
A rule of law that severely appears compromised to the point that, as sources of Fides say, "the Church itself is threatened. Not a day goes by where accusations are made on the alleged 'interference of the Church' in national politics".
Also - continue our sources - violence continues. On April 6, three people were killed in the province. Several young men were arrested by the security forces".
"Rebels commit acts of terrorism against civilians by throwing grenades. It is a hopeless situation, because one does not see the way out of the crisis. Those who can, flee Burundi. More than 250,000 Burundians are abroad and the flow of Burundian refugees does not stop. The majority go to Tanzania and then to Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, South Africa and Angola. Those who have the economic means flee to Europe", say our sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 08/04/2016)


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