Women activists want AU, UN to intervene on Burundi crisis

By Francis Emorut                                                                                                                            

The women rights activists have expressed concern about the Burundi crisis and called on UN and African Union (AU) to intervene to avoid genocide.

"We decry the deteriorating situation in Burundi where a number of lives have been lost and over 200 refugees have fled the country," Eunice Musiime the executive director of Akina Mama Wa Afrika said.

Musiime said: "We are concerned if the situation is not arrested the Great Lakes Nation of Burundi is on the brink of civil war or genocide."

She was reading a statement on behalf of the women's rights group under the auspices of International Conference on the Great Lakes Region during a news conference in Kampala on Friday.

Women activists (l-r) Helen Kezie, the programme manager of Isis Women's International Cross Culural exchange; Eunice Musiime, the executive director of Akina Mama Wa Afrika and Rose Othieno, the executive director Centre for Conflict Resolution addressing a press conference on Burundi crisis in Kampala On Friday Nov 20, 2015. The women activists called on African Union (AU) and UN to urgently address the conflict to avoid genocide. Photo by Francis Emorut

"We are particularly concerned with the impact that has been meted out on the most vulnerable sections of population especially women, children, physically handicapped and the elderly," she stated.
 
Musiime cited an incident in Burundi's capital where six markets with merchandise were burnt and this has deprived women of their livelihood.

"The crisis has affected the economic, social wellbeing of women and their physical security," Rose Othieno the executive director of Centre for Conflict Resolution said.

The activists also condemned the assassinations of key opposition political leaders and the disappearances of some dissidents.

Irene- Ovonji Odida blamed the crisis on political leaders who have refused to uphold agreements and commitments they have signed in East African treaties on good governance and rule of law.

Helen Kezie the programme manager of Isis-WCCE appealed to leaders in the Great Lakes region to intervene before more bloodshed.

The activists recommended that the UN, AU EAC and civil society to urgently convene talks between the warring factions.

They also called on the international community to put in place the humanitarian corridor and buffer zone to facilitate the relief operations among the affected populace and urged the African Union Peace and Security Council to deploy peace keeping forces to restore peace and order and protect human rights of Burundians.