Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - "In Bujumbura, the situation is relatively calm, but in some neighborhoods one cannot access because of the barricades": say local sources of Agenzia Fides from the capital of Burundi, who for security reasons have asked to remain anonymous.
During the African Union Summit, held in South Africa, also dedicated to the crisis in Burundi, the government said it is doing everything possible to break the deadlock, due to the decision of President Pierre Nkurunziza to stand for election for a third mandate, in violation of the Constitution.
"The opposition and civil society challenge what the President said in front of other African leaders", say Fides sources.
The African Union has decided to send military experts and human rights observers in Burundi to verify the process of the disarming of the militias and police behavior.
"People live in fear and many Burundians try to flee abroad" underline our sources.
"According to humanitarian agencies, in Tanzania there are 54,000 refugees from Burundi, in Rwanda about 25,000, in the Democratic Republic of Congo about 28,000 and in Uganda 7-8000. But these figures are much higher, because many refugees are hosted in hotels and private houses, at friends and relatives", say Fides sources. "The situation is blocked", they conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/06/2015)
