Alarmed at killings in Burundi, UN threatens sanctions

Burundi has been plagued by sporadic violence since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term led to street protests.

United Nations, Aug 3: With the increase in number of people fleeing Burundi, the United Nations Security Council has expressed concern over the reports of torture and extra-judicial killings in the East African nation.

A presidential statement approved on Wednesday reiterates the council's intention to pursue sanctions against people inside and outside the country "who threaten the peace and security of Burundi."

The council said it remains "deeply concerned" at the political situation and the government's failure to implement a resolution adopted last year calling for the deployment of 228 UN police and human rights monitors.

The government has also refused to allow the African Union to send 5,000 peacekeepers. Burundi has been plagued by sporadic violence since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term led to street protests.

Since the start of 2017, the Burundian government has amplified its calls for refugees to return home. After nearly two years of crisis in which over 1,400 peopled are estimated to have been killed, the government insists the nation is now safe.

However, Bujumbura's appeals have convinced few of the 380,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries.

PTI