Burundi: Ban condemns attacks on military camps; urges stakeholders to uphold rule of law

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon today condemned the attacks by groups of unidentified assailants on military camps in Bujumbura early this morning and said that such acts of violence can lead to a further destabilization of the situation in crisis-torn Burundi.

“The Secretary-General urges the leadership of these groups and the national authorities to refrain from any further escalation of violence or retaliation and stresses that anyone responsible for ordering or committing human rights violations will be held individually accountable,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.

Further, the Secretary-General appealed to all national stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and urged the authorities to help create the conditions for a credible and inclusive dialogue that can address the deep political challenges facing the country.

“The United Nations extends its full support and assistance to all efforts aimed at promoting a peaceful settlement of the crisis,” the statement concluded.

According to media reports, the clashes between the troops left 12 insurgents dead and another 20 have been arrested.

Burundi has been in the midst of a political crisis that has driven countless people fleeing to safety in neighbouring countries since President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term earlier this year. Mr. Ban and a host of senior UN officials including the High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly called for calm and the resumption of the national dialogue that was suspended in mid-July.