Time and time again, Third World countries miss the headlines or the attention and sympathy of humanity till its repeated on BBC News again and again. I believe the majority have become desensitized to the troubles being faced by our brothers and sisters in war-torn countries worldwide.
President Pierre Nkurunziza is ruining the lives of innocent people with his corrupt ruling and decision making at the height of his status and position in one of the poorest nations in the world, Burundi. Thousands of bodies have been scattered on the streets of the capital, Bujumbura.
President Pierre Nkurunziza
However the African Union have used their initiative and last month suggested the deployment of up to 5,000 peacekeeping troops in order to tackle the unjust bloodshed that has become an everyday reality for the people of Burundi. But Mr Nkurunziza has rejected this call several times describing it as a violation to his country's sovereignty. How bloody arrogant! He has stated that the deployment of troops will be interpreted as an attack on Burundi, insinuating that the country will get up and start a fight at the result of this. Although he may still be fighting his opposition, if he thinks himself to be so powerful, I don't understand why he is still carrying on igniting this injustice and refusing to make any efforts in regards to peace talk.
What gives me hope even in this ongoing crisis, is that part of the African Union charter gives the body a chance to intervene in grave circumstances which include war crimes and genocides. This is hugely comforting, as a parallel can be drawn to the Rwandan genocide in 1994, as both countries share a similar resemblance in the Hutu-Tutsi make up of the population. There are alarming rates of violence as a result of conflict in ethnic lines. The African Union have vowed they will work to stop another genocide happening on African soil. Lets pray so, because Nkurunziza is making life hell for the citizens of Burundi, with many desperately fleeing to neighbouring countries Rwanda and Tanzania.
With all that is going on, I believe Burundi deserve to be appreciated for their hard work and sheer willingness to impose sanctions and launch human right abuse investigations. However they cannot do it alone, the United Nations need to support the African Union by utilising their various councils to aid logistical solutions to avoid another genocide. Now is the time more than ever for international efforts to be heightened and governments worldwide to back any hate speech and support the efforts of saving the people of East Africa in a dignified manner.
President Pierre Nkurunziza is ruining the lives of innocent people with his corrupt ruling and decision making at the height of his status and position in one of the poorest nations in the world, Burundi. Thousands of bodies have been scattered on the streets of the capital, Bujumbura.
However the African Union have used their initiative and last month suggested the deployment of up to 5,000 peacekeeping troops in order to tackle the unjust bloodshed that has become an everyday reality for the people of Burundi. But Mr Nkurunziza has rejected this call several times describing it as a violation to his country's sovereignty. How bloody arrogant! He has stated that the deployment of troops will be interpreted as an attack on Burundi, insinuating that the country will get up and start a fight at the result of this. Although he may still be fighting his opposition, if he thinks himself to be so powerful, I don't understand why he is still carrying on igniting this injustice and refusing to make any efforts in regards to peace talk.
With all that is going on, I believe Burundi deserve to be appreciated for their hard work and sheer willingness to impose sanctions and launch human right abuse investigations. However they cannot do it alone, the United Nations need to support the African Union by utilising their various councils to aid logistical solutions to avoid another genocide. Now is the time more than ever for international efforts to be heightened and governments worldwide to back any hate speech and support the efforts of saving the people of East Africa in a dignified manner.