Burundi is carrying out forced disarmament of civilians even as violence continues to be reported, with the European Union accusing it of increasingly violating human rights.

President Pierre Nkurunziza’s ultimatum for voluntary return of illegally owned weapons expired on November 7, and the forced disarmament has brought relative peace to the capital Bujumbura.

Authorities have also reported that 39 policemen have been killed since April, when confrontation between protestors and the police began. 

Last week, police on patrol in Cibitoke district of the capital were attacked and a grenade was thrown their way, killing one of them. Five civilians were also killed, two of whom had been forced out of their houses and shot by unknown people.

REACTION

The government responded to criticism by releasing 97 prisoners who were arrested for protesting against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term. But according to the United Nations Human Rights office in Bujumbura, more than 700 people were arrested since the protest against the third term begun in April.

President Nkurunziza has maintained that youth who apologise for having taken part in the protests that caused instability and chaos in the country will be forgiven, while all those who participated in the protests and were arrested will get a fair trial.

Last week, 18 Burundian government officials travelled to the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels, for consultations in light of the growing human-rights violations and the political crisis facing the country.

“The European Union considers that there is a need for rapid implementation of a genuine and inclusive dialogue based on respect for the Arusha Agreement,” said the EU in a statement after the consultations.