Burundi Rejects UN Police Force Deployment

Local Editor

Burundi rejected the deployment of a United Nations police force to the violence-wracked African nation, saying the France-drafted resolution authorizing the security contingent was made without Bujumbura's consent.

"The government of Burundi rejects every aspect of this resolution linked to the deployment of any force on its territory," spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said in a statement released on Tuesday, adding that the resolution was "in violation of the fundamental principles required of the UN family and above all violating its sovereignty."

Burundi's strong response come after the UN Security Council [UNSC] on Friday authorized to dispatch of up to 228 officers to Bujumbura and elsewhere throughout the west African country for an initial period of one year, in an attempt to provide the council, according to French Ambassador Francois Delattre, with "eyes and ears" on the ground to provide early warning of possible mass atrocities.

The planned deployment of the contingent has aroused fury from the country's authorities, who initially agreed to accept no more than 50 officers.

The country's authorities initially agreed to accept no more than 50 officers, but now infuriated by the UN planned deployment of 228-strong contingent, have rejected even the 50-strong security force.

Nzobonariba went on to say that any UN resolution must be approved by the affected country, which was "unfortunately not the case," in Friday's vote, adding that the world body should reconsider the controversial move as Burundi's own security forces were "in perfect control of the situation" across the country.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team