Located in central Africa, the small nation of Burundi is on the brink of civil war once again. In April, current President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would run for a third term, a decision denounced by the opposition as a violation of the nation’s constitution. His subsequent election in July was widely criticized by the international community.
Since Nkurunziza’s April announcement, many civilians and political groups opposing Nkurunziza’s decision have taken to the streets to protest. In response, Burundian security forces have met the protesters with brutality, killing hundreds and sending hundreds of thousands more fleeing the country. Opposition groups have retaliated by taking up arms and unleashing their own wave of attacks against government installations and officials. As tensions increase, the violence escalates, and the bodies accumulate, it is crucial for the international community to respond wisely.
Why Should the International Community Be Concerned?
The renewed violence between the government and opposing political and rebel groups has the potential to spiral out of control and further destabilize Burundi and the region. Tom Perriello, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, has explicitly warned that the conflict has the potential to plunge the country back into civil war.
