Crisis-torn Burundi: We don’t want your help

THE African Union (AU) is ready to send 5 000 peacekeepers to Burundi to protect civilians caught up in a growing crisis. Burundi said on Friday, however, that no troops would get in without its permission.

Its neighbours have grown increasingly alarmed about the violence in the central African state, which the United Nations says is on the brink of civil war.

Tensions have been running particularly high since gunmen attacked military sites in the capital Bujumbura last week, unnerving a region where memories of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda are still raw.

The AU charter's Article 4 bestows upon the bloc the right to intervene in a member state “in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity”. A diplomat said, however, that such a decision which would still require the sanction of the UN Security Council.

Burundi state spokesman, Philippe Nzobonariba, said “It would be better if they go to those camps in Rwanda, where the troublemakers train.” The government’s accused Rwanda of supporting rebels – a charge that Rwanda denies.

The United Nations says at least 400 people have been killed since April, when the president's decision to seek a third term in office triggered protests and a failed coup.

Hundreds of thousands have also fled the worst violence to hit the country since it emerged from an ethnically charged civil war in 2005.

Demonstrators said the president broke constitutional term limits. Although the latest violence appears to be along political lines, diplomats fear the reopening of old ethnic rifts.

Other African leaders are also pushing to unethically extend their terms, despite strong criticism by western donors. – Reuters