Belgium and the European Union have separately stepped up moves aimed to ‘protect their nationals’ against the worsening situation in Burundi.
Belgium has advised its nationals who almost sum up to 500 to vacate warring Burundi with immediate effect.
On Friday, the Belgian foreign ministry said the Belgians should leave unless they have any important business in the East African country that is fraught with killings.
EU ambassador to Burundi, Patrick Spirleton in an OSINT statement said EU on its part is cutting staff levels in the country, saying they can’t risk the rising risk of violence.
The Great Lakes Region is committed to mediate in the ongoing crisis in Burundi fearing that the situation may plunge the country in genocide similar to the past experience in neighbouring Rwanda.
On Wednesday 11th November, envoys from the Great Lakes Region spent two days in Burundi over mediation talks between Burundi’s government and opposition groups that are opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial bid for a third term.
The Burundian government has so far disarmed a pro-government youth group that is accused of murdering perceived government opponents.
There were rising concerns over a possible new rebel movement based in the country’s Northern provinces opposed to the murders.
With these steps, the Great Lakes Region hopes to restore peace in Burundi, amid calls from a number of western powers to withdraw their nationals from the warring country.
