Following the decision of the president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, to stand for a third term, a climate of uncertainty and tension has settled over Burundi and is pushing thousands of people to Rwanda.
Gianni Pittella, president of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, requested and obtained an urgent declaration from the European Commission on the situation in Burundi. He now appeals directly to president Nkurunziza:
“News coming from Burundi indicates that the armed militia are terrorizing the population; radio stations have been shut down, and journalists and activists imprisoned. A climate of intimidation, terror and violence is driving thousands of people to Rwanda to escape a potential ethnic conflict.
“The decision of the president of Burundi to stand for a third term could plunge the country into violence. Factors similar to those observed during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 can be observed today. The European Union cannot wait with indifference for a new monster to awaken.
“I’m appealing directly to the president of Burundi: Mr President, please reconsider. If you do, you will become the main player in a historic democratic transition in the eyes of your people and of the international community.
“Today Burundi is in the spotlight but we fear a domino effect in the Great Lakes Region. These states are suffering great political instability and will soon be facing important elections.
Making the voice of Europe heard is our moral and political duty”.
