Rwanda Says Its Alarmed by Burundi Unrest As Refugees Stream Across Border
Rwanda fears a repeat of the 1994 genocide that saw thousands killed in ethnic violence between Hutus and Tutsis
Kigali, Reuters—Rwanda’s foreign minister said on Tuesday she was concerned about neighboring Burundi’s clampdown on more than a week of protests against its president’s decision to seek a third term in office.
President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would stand in a June 26 vote has plunged Burundi into its worst political crisis since its ethnically fueled civil war that pitted majority Hutus against minority Tutsis from 1993 to 2005.
At least 24,000 mostly Tutsis have fled to Rwanda fearing another outbreak of ethnic strife, say officials. The unrest has particularly worried Rwanda, still scarred by its 1994 genocide that killed more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
“While we respect Burundi’s sovereignty in addressing internal matters, Rwanda considers the safety of innocent population as a regional and international responsibility,” Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said.
“We appeal to leaders of Burundi to do everything in their power to bring the country back to a peaceful situation,” she added in a statement.
Civil society groups say at least 12 people have been killed during Burundi’s protests, while police put the number at six, including three members of the security forces.
Small groups of protesters were back on the streets of Bujumbura on Tuesday, keeping their distance from the police. Tires smoldered and rocks were strewn over the roads from previous clashes. Police have fired tear gas, water cannon and, say demonstrators, live rounds, a charge the police denies.
Nkurunziza’s opponents accuse him of breaking a two-term limit set out in the constitution and the Arusha peace deal that ended the civil war. His supporters say his first term doesn’t count as he was chosen by parliament, not by a popular vote.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in the region for talks, told a news conference in Nairobi on Monday the decision to seek a third term “flies directly in the face” of Burundi’s constitution.
Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel leader, has called the protests an “insurrectional movement” and warned of tough steps against those behind the demonstrations.
Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities. Launched in London in 1978, Asharq Al-Awsat has established itself as the decisive publication on pan-Arab and international affairs, offering its readers in-depth analysis and exclusive editorials, as well as the most comprehensive coverage of the entire Arab world.
Kigali, Reuters—Rwanda’s foreign minister said on Tuesday she was concerned about neighboring Burundi’s clampdown on more than a week of protests against its president’s decision to seek a third term in office.
President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would stand in a June 26 vote has plunged Burundi into its worst political crisis since its ethnically fueled civil war that pitted majority Hutus against minority Tutsis from 1993 to 2005.
At least 24,000 mostly Tutsis have fled to Rwanda fearing another outbreak of ethnic strife, say officials. The unrest has particularly worried Rwanda, still scarred by its 1994 genocide that killed more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
“While we respect Burundi’s sovereignty in addressing internal matters, Rwanda considers the safety of innocent population as a regional and international responsibility,” Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said.
“We appeal to leaders of Burundi to do everything in their power to bring the country back to a peaceful situation,” she added in a statement.
Civil society groups say at least 12 people have been killed during Burundi’s protests, while police put the number at six, including three members of the security forces.
Small groups of protesters were back on the streets of Bujumbura on Tuesday, keeping their distance from the police. Tires smoldered and rocks were strewn over the roads from previous clashes. Police have fired tear gas, water cannon and, say demonstrators, live rounds, a charge the police denies.
Nkurunziza’s opponents accuse him of breaking a two-term limit set out in the constitution and the Arusha peace deal that ended the civil war. His supporters say his first term doesn’t count as he was chosen by parliament, not by a popular vote.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in the region for talks, told a news conference in Nairobi on Monday the decision to seek a third term “flies directly in the face” of Burundi’s constitution.
Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel leader, has called the protests an “insurrectional movement” and warned of tough steps against those behind the demonstrations.
Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities. Launched in London in 1978, Asharq Al-Awsat has established itself as the decisive publication on pan-Arab and international affairs, offering its readers in-depth analysis and exclusive editorials, as well as the most comprehensive coverage of the entire Arab world.
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