The United States of America has appreciated Rwanda and Two other regional countries to welcome the more than 100,000 Burundian refugees who have fled Burundi and urges the latter to remove roadblocks that are preventing civilian populations from crossing into neighboring nations seeking safety, IGIHE reports on Saturday.
Up to date Rwanda is a home to over 26, 0000 Burundian refugees, while DRC and Tanzania host 9,183 and 70,187 respectively.
The UN refugee agency said on Friday that more than 105,000 people have fled Burundi to Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, following an attempted coup and protests.
In a warning statement to Burundi Government, the U. S. said “is alarmed by reports of retaliatory attacks in Burundi following the attempted unlawful seizure of power on May 13 and the growing risk of greater violence and atrocities.”
Analysts said continued violence in Burundi could result into more and more influx of Burundi refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries.
In the Meantime, the U.S said in a statement “We also appreciate the willingness of Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to welcome the more than 100,000 Burundian refugees who have fled Burundi, and call on the Burundian government to remove roadblocks and other impediments that are preventing civilian populations from crossing into neighboring nations seeking safety.”
The statement, which is signaling that there could be another influx of Burundian refugees if the situation worsens, says in its end that the U.S “stands with the people of Burundi at this critical moment” and “We urgently call on the Burundian government to demonstrate, by its actions in the coming days, its commitment to a peaceful future for all the people of Burundi.”
U.S. Welcomes the suspension of election aid to Burundi
The United States welcomes decisions by other donor partners to reduce or withdraw budget support and financial assistance to the Government of Burundi in response to the continuing instability and violence.
Earlier this week, several donor countries and institutions announce their partial or total withdrawal of financial supports to Burundi’s coming elections.
Brussels has suspended its financial support to the electoral process in Burundi, after thousands marched to the European Parliament on Sunday 11 May demanding Belgium step in and force Burundi’s ruling party to postpone the upcoming elections.
The Minister for Development Cooperation, Alexander De Croo, announced he was temporarily suspending the country’s support to the Burundian electoral process.
Police cooperation is also suspended, the minister’s office said in a statement on Monday 11 May
U.S supports mediation
According to the statement the United States fully supports the mediation efforts of UN Special Envoy Said Djinnit and the African Union envoys in Bujumbura, as well as the efforts of the East African Community, the African Union, and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, aimed at bringing peace and stability to Burundi.
It also said “We urge all stakeholders in Burundi to engage immediately and seriously in these mediation efforts.”
E-mail: angedelavictoire@igihe.com
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