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The DA is deeply concerned that as Burundi celebrates its Unity Day today, it is on the brink of an ethnically charged crisis that bears disturbing similarities to the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

The crisis in Burundi is already at boiling point as over 400 people have been killed, and 240 000 displaced including women and children.

Despite being re-elected to the AU’s Peace and Security Council almost a week ago, South Africa has been too quiet on the intensifying situation in Burundi. Last week, the Council decided against intervention in Burundi, opting rather to send further diplomats. This is in stark contradiction to the AU’s summit last week, themed African Year of Human Rights, with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women.

The South African government cannot stand by as the lives and well-being of fellow Africans are threatened. We must stand firm in our commitment to a human rights based foreign policy.

To this end, the DA will today submit questions to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to ask, among other things:

• What South Africa is doing to prevent the situation in Burundi from escalating;
• What South Africa’s position is on the decision by the AU Peace and Security Council not to intervene;
• What South Africa’s position is on the deployment of a peacekeeping force to Burundi.

Furthermore, I will also be writing to President Zuma to call on him to break his silence on the situation in Burundi and to directly engage with his counterpart, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to cooperate with the AU’s efforts to resolve the situation peacefully.

It is not too late for South Africa to show leadership in the AU to save hundreds of thousands of others. South Africa should champion the protection of human rights in Africa as it has done before and circumvent another tragedy.

Issued by DA