AU force ‘proposed for Burundi’

Reports from Addis Ababa say African Union officials have approved a draft plan to send peacekeepers to protect civilians in Burundi, even without the government’s consent.

The Reuters news agency quoted one diplomat as saying that the deployment of a 5,000-strong force had been approved by the AU’s Peace and Security Council.

But the decision will need UN approval, and the presidents of AU members countries would have to authorise any deployment against Burundi’s wishes.

The UN says at least 400 people have been killed in Burundi since President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision in April to stand for a third term.

Tom Sangala

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