admin
BUJUMBURA. — Sanctions against some Burundian leaders by the African Union Peace and Security Council would compromise peace in the east African nation, the Burundian government said on Wednesday. “Sanctions envisaged by the AU against some Burundian people would radicalise positions and would compromise peace that the AU Peace and Security Council is aimed to promote,” said Burundian government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba.
On October 17, the AU Peace and Security Council issued a resolution whereby it analysed the mounting violence prevailing in Burundi and envisaged sanctions against some Burundian leaders whose actions “obstruct” the search for a solution on the country’s violence.
It said that a list of people to be sanctioned would be available within 45 days. According to the AU, those sanctions include an asset freeze and a restriction of trips within the African continent.
“The government (of Burundi) requests the AU Peace and Security to be more coherent because more tragic situations with heavy death tolls exist in many places in Africa. “However, the AU has not yet taken extreme sanctions,” said Nzobonariba. He indicated that there is a need for “wisdom to get an impartial and concerted report.”
The AU had also called for the beginning of a sincere and inclusive dialogue in the spirit of the Arusha Agreement, adding that the venue of dialogue should either be the Ugandan capital Kampala or the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and should be held under the facilitation of Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter