On Burundi, UN's Said Djinnit "Takes Note" of Opposition to His Role, Statement Here

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 10 -- Two days after civil society groups in Burundi wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon how his envoy Said Djinnit should be removed from the role, here, on June 10 Djinnit issued a press statement "taking note" of this position - and stepping down or back. See below.

  Earlier on June 10, Inner City Press and the Free UN Coalition for Access had asked Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric about the Nkurunziza government's order banning entry into the studios of five radio and TV stations. Video here. Djinnit's statement claims there was consensus on May 28 on re-opening these:

"commended the Burundian parties, in particular, for the set of recommendations adopted by consensus at the May 28 dialogue session, on the right to information and the reopening of private radio and television stations damaged during the May 13-14 events." 

 Here is the full text of Djinnit's statement, which Inner City Press earlier photographed and Tweeted in French and English:

PRESS STATEMENT

The Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, and members of the facilitation team that joined and supported the dialogue between the Burundian parties, met today in Bujumbura with members of the diplomatic corps. During this meeting, the Special Envoy briefed the participants on the dialogue who [sic] he facilitated starting from 5 May 2015, at the request of the Burundian parties who had agreed, by themselves, on the agenda as well as the list of participants.

The Special Envoy recalled that during the dialogue, the parties maintained diverging views on the candidature of President Nkurunziza for a third term. He highlighted the progress made on the four agenda items, namely: the appeasement measures and mutual commitments; the management of the electoral calendar; guarantees for the holding of free, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections; and protection of Constitutional rights and freedoms. The conclusions of the dialogue are reflected in the attached May 29 press communique.

The Special Envoy commended the Burundian parties, in particular, for the set of recommendations adopted by consensus at the May 28 dialogue session, on the right to information and the reopening of private radio and television stations damaged during the May 13-14 events. He encourages the parties to implement these recommendations without delay.

The Special Envoy takes this opportunity to thanks all the Burundian parties for their cooperation during the dialogue that he facilitated with impartiality and, on which he reported faithfully to the Emergency Summit of the East African Community which took place in Dar-es-Salaam on May 31, and the relevant UN organs. The Special Envoy expresses his deep gratitude for the support extended to him in his role as facilitator by the East African Community, the International Conference for the Great Lakes region, the African Union and the UN including the Secretary General, the Security Council and the Peace Building Commission. He also thanks the external partners of Burundi including the European Union, the United States, France, Belgium and many others who came forth to help during the dialogue process.

Mr. Said Djinnit thanks all the Burundian parties for the facilitation role they entrusted to him on May 5. He duly takes note of the position expressed a few days ago, on his role as facilitator by some Burundian parties.
In his capacity as the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Djinnit remains committed, in collaboration with relevant regional organizations, to continue to work toward preserving and consolidating peace, democracy and stability in Burundi in accordance with the objectives of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, signed in Addis Ababa on February 24, 2013.

 The Special Envoy encourages the Burundian parties to continue their dialogue with a view to create conditions conducive to holding free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections. He stresses the importance of preserving the legacy of teh Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement as enshrined in the Constitution. He reiterates his appeal to all parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from any acts likely to increase tension and violence.

  After the UN Security Council, the United States and the UN Peacebuilding Configuration on Burundi on May 15 issued statements urging calm in the country given the return of Pierre Nkurunziza to presumably run for a third term, on May 29 Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric about UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous accepting an allegedly abusive Burundian police officer Godefroid Bizmama into his MINUSMA mission in Mali. Video here, and embedded below. 

  On June 9, Inner City Press asked Dujarric about civil society opposition to the electoral commission proposing presidential polls for July 15, including it seems for a possible third term. What does UN envoy Said Djinnit think of a third term? Video here.

  Dujarric again refused to answer directly, while calling on Burundians to follow Djinnit. Follow him where?

  Inner City Press asked about Italy suspending inclusion of Burundian forces in its training program, see below: Inner City Press has learned that Jérôme NTIBIBOGORA was rejected by vetting even in 2014. 

  Dujarric replied that this is up to the Italian government. But what is the UN doing, including with respect to 1000 Burundian police slated to begin "peacekeeping" in Somalia on June 11? We'll see. 

  Amid calls to replace UN enovy Said Djinnit as "pro-Nkurunziza," which Inner City Press has asked the UN about, on June 8 another letter went in, signed by Vital Nshimirimana. Inner City Press is putting itonline here (it is in French, and translated by the Free UN Coalition for Access here); it explains the demand that Djinnit be replaced.

  Some note that Ban Ki-moon, now on travel in Central Asia but still quiet on human rights there too, gave in to requests to replace his Yemen mediator Jamal Benomar and ask, why not here? But those requests were from Saudi Arabia. Watch this site.

  On June 8, Inner City Press asked Maman S. Sidikou, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia, about Burundian forces serving in AMISOM. 

  Sidikou replied that their "morale" remains high, and that one thousand are coming into Somalia from June 11 to 18. So is there no human rights due diligence for this?

  The UN claims due diligence but gives no details at all. On June 8 Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric:

Inner City Press: On Burundi, I asked you before about Godefroid Bizimana.  Now I'm going to ask about Jérôme Ntibibogora, who is a Burundian police officer who, civil society there, say was involved in an attack against a hospital and firing at protesters.  He's set for deployment in the Central African Republic after being trained by an Italian centre known as CoESPU, a Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units.

Spokesman Dujarric:  As much as I have everybody's files and names under my fingertips, I will check…

Inner City Press: I've actually heard from the Italian mission that they've put some of their training on hold, but likewise has the UN put anything on hold of deployment of police officers from Burundi?

Spokesman:  I think we'll… you know, there is a Human Rights Due Diligence Policy and people are being screened.

Inner City Press:  But, Godefroid seems to…

Spokesman:  Has he been appointed?

Inner City Press: That's why I'm asking [about Jérôme]..

  Early on June 8, based on more information from Inner City Press' sources in Burundi, Inner City Press asked Italy's Mission to the UN:

"In covering the crisis in Burundi, multiple sources there have informed Inner City Press that a Burundian police officer named Jérôme NTIBIBOGORA, implicated in the crackdown in Bujumbura, is now set to be deployed to the UN Peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA -- but only after he is “trained” by / in Italy.

"This a Press request for your Mission to confirm or deny that Jérôme NTIBIBOGORA / NTIBIBOGORA Jérôme or any other Burundian police or military personnel involved in putting down protests to Pierre Nkurunziza's attempted third term is scheduled or considered for training or any preparatory work in Italy prior to a deployment with UN Peacekeeping.

"For your information in responding on deadline to this, Inner City Press' sources in Burundi said that Jérôme NTIBIBOGORA / NTIBIBOGORA Jérôme has so far been involved in at least two recent troubling incidents: killings at the hospital of BUMEREC (in Bujumbura) on May 14, 2015 and firing live ammunition at unarmed protesters on June 5, 2015, resulting in the death of a protester named Theogène who was a student at University of Burundi. Overall, what due diligence does Italy do in its work with UN Peacekeeping?"

  The UN Mission of Italy, running for a seat on the UN Security Council against Sweden and the Netherlands, answered also on the morning of June 8:

"Dear Mr. Lee, while at this stage I do not have any information on specific officers from Burundi, I can nevertheless confirm that any training activity by the COESPU (Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units) in Vicenza, Italy, with officers from that country, is currently on hold, due to the ongoing situation in Burundi.

Giovanni Davoli, Spokesperson, Italian Mission to the UN"

  It's appreciated. But are there Burundian officers "in the pipeline"?  Inner City Press asked: "Does “on hold” mean there are no Burundian personnel in the pipeline of your training program, to be deployed to peacekeeping missions? And, once you check in across the Atlantic, can the state the status of any of the individual named, and describe Italy's due diligence policy more generally?"

  Italian Mission spokesperson Davoli replied:

"Dear Matthew, in general, single participants, before being accepted into the courses, are screened trough the resources available to us and to our partners in COESPU, to make sure they are compatible with the values of the Center.

On this particular individual, we are checking with Italy if we have any record, which means we won’t get any more details before tomorrow. In any instances, the participation of officers from this particular country is on hold, therefore there is no Burundian in the pipeline, until further notice.

Giovanni Davoli, Spokesperson, Italian Mission to the UN"

  Inner City Press renewed its questions on June 9, and got this reply:

"Dear Matthew, I can confirm that Jérôme NTIBIBOGORA has never attended nor is expected to attend courses at CoESPU. His candidature was submitted twice and rejected twice by COESPU.
On the first occasion, in 2014, this officer did not pass the vetting in place for these courses (as per mail yesterday); on the second occasion, already in 2015, all Burundi candidatures were already on freeze.

Giovanni Davoli, Spokesperson, Italian Mission to the UN"

   

In Burundi, Can Ban Ki-moon or Djinnit Reach Nkuunziza, UN and Ladsous Deny Godefroid Bizimana in Mali

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 1 -- Nineteen days after the UN Security Council, the United States and the UN Peacebuilding Configuration on Burundi on May 15 issued statements urging calm in the country given the return of Pierre Nkurunziza to presumably run for a third term, on May 29 Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric about UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous accepting an allegedly abusive Burundian police officer Godefroid Bizmama into his MINUSMA mission in Mali. Video here, and embedded below. 

  Three days later on June 1, having no response from the UN, Inner City Press asked Dujarric's deputy Farhan Haq again. He said that UN Peacekeeping, run by Herve Ladsous, said there is no officer Godefroid Bizimana with the UN. 

  But is he on his way? Inner City Press has seen and Tweeted the Burundi government letter referring him for a D-1 post in Ladsous' mission in Mali, MINUSMA. Where is the "due diligence," which is cited by Ladsous to NOT fight the FDLR militia in Rwanda?

  Haq on June 1 said Ban Ki-moon would be talking with President Kikwete of Tanzania. Why not to Nkurunziza? Inner City Press is asked if UN envoy Said Djinnit is able to meet with Nkurunziza.

  Meanwhile new UN aid chief Stephen O'Brien has on June 1 announced he's releasing $15 million for Burundians in Tanzania and Rwanda, refugees:

"More than 70,000 people, many of them children, have fled to Burundi’s neighbouring countries since political violence and civil unrest broke out in the capital Bujumbura in April. Some 46,000 Burundians found refuge in Tanzania and 26,000 in Rwanda.

'Children are arriving at borders sick and malnourished. Many are unaccompanied or have been separated from their families,' O'Brien said."

  In other cases, such announcements are accompanied by talk about also treating the root causes of the displacement. And here? Watch this site.   

From the May 29 UN transcript:

Inner City Press: I’d asked you about this UN peacekeeping accepting police and soldiers from Burundi.  And you’d said that there’s some process.  So I want to ask you very specifically, I’ve now seen a letter that’s circulating… that’s been submitted to the UN to appoint a Mr. Godefroid Bizimana, who is a police officer, of which there are photographs firing into a crowd, to be a D-1 police officer in MINUSMA in Mali.  And I wanted to know:  how does the stated Human Rights Due Diligence Policy apply in this case, which the UN says it’s so concerned about?

Spokesman Dujarric:  All right.  Let me check.  I hadn’t heard of this.

 But hours later when the UN Spokesperson's office closed for the weekend, there was not response from Dujarric. Nor did he allow Inner City Press to put into questions to Herve Ladsous during his rare, carefully controlled press conference on the Day of Peacekeepers. We'll have more on this.

  On May 27 Inner City Press asked the May presidency of the Security Council, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius and Permanent Representative Raimonda Murmokaité about the closed door briefing, and why attacks on journalists in Burundi wasn't mentioned in the Council's most recent Press Statement on Burundi. Video here and embedded below.

  Raimonda Murmokaité provided a second summary of the meeting, and told Inner City Press that it surely knew how Council press statements work. (A corresponent in the front row, already called on, appeared to giggle.)

  Inner City Press replied that yes, it does know how the process works or is supposed to work -- so, was language about press freedom proposed and rejected? Or never proposed?

 Raimonda Murmokaité replied, Ask the penholder. That is France, and Inner City Press did ask, see below.

 An hour before Djinnit's briefing, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, transcript here, video here:

Inner City Press: On Burundi, I'd wanted to ask you this.  The… in today's debate in the Council, a number of the Council members brought up the crackdown on media in Burundi alongside the, obviously, attacks on opposition and protesters, including the closing of three radio stations, the seeming shooting of a radio station reporter along with the opposition leader that was killed.  I wanted to know, is the UN doing… given all that's being said in the Security Council chamber today, is the UN and its existing missions in Burundi doing anything to actually try to protect journalists in Burundi?

Spokesman:  Obviously, the question of protection of journalists is one that's high on the agenda and you… as explained by the Deputy Secretary-General himself this morning.  It is critical for Burundi to move forward.  A critical part of Burundi moving forward in a peaceful way and political dialogue is a free press and that a free press be allowed to operate.  So, it's clearly part of the overall discussions that are going on.

Inner City Press: But in the Secretary-General's statement on the attack on the opposition leader, was he or DPA [Department of Political Affairs] or whoever wrote it unaware there was a journalist also gravely wounded at the same time?

Spokesman:  We may not have been aware of the full details, but obviously, attacks on journalists are condemned.

Inner City Press: And just one other question on Burundi.  There's a lot of discussion there, there's a picture, in fact, of a police individual shooting a submachine gun and also a picture of him in a peacekeeper uniform.  So, I wanted to know, is there… is DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] doing anything to see whether people previously deployed or prospectively deployed… there's another individual named Donat [a/k/a Rukonangwe] as possibly deploying… are involved in a picture of shooting in a crowd?

Spokesman:  I think… I haven't personally seen that picture.  If it turns out to be true, as we've seen in other cases, you know, troop contributors are not permitted to use UN insignia, symbols, emblems on uniforms or planes outside of UN peacekeeping operation, so, obviously, if this turned out to be true, it would… it would be in violation of those understandings.  Obviously, the vetting process of peacekeepers from all countries goes through… is cooperation between DPKO and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).  I think there's a special focus if troops would be coming in recently from Burundi; at this point, Burundian soldiers are continuing to serve in UN peacekeeping troops, and obviously, we… the UN has no operational or any control over the troops that have returned to the country.  

  Note: the first asked about is Alfred Innocent Museremu...

  On the way into the UNSC for the 1:15 pm meeting, a Permanent member's deputy ambassador told Inner City Press there would probably be no outcome from the meeting. And so it was -- after an hour and a half, when the Ambassador of the Council's "penholder" on Burundi Francois Delattre emerged, he declined to speak on the UNTV camera.

  He did however to his credit answer questions on the stairs leaving the stakeout. Inner City Press asked him about the timing of the presidential election; he said the conditions are not met.

  But why not put that in a Security Council statement? To make it a Council position?

  Inner City Press asked Delattre about attacks on journalists, the Security Council's topic before and after the Burundi consultation. He genially said it might be a good idea for the Council to speak on that. We'll see -- cell phone video here, in the spirit of Freedom of the Press, by the Free UN Coalition for Access, along with this rough transcript:

Inner City Press: What about the timing of the presidential election?
A: There’s a wide unity around the table, conditions are not met. A wide unity, everybody says that conditions for election are not met. That’s what we should work on. Raising these conditions.

Inner City Press: what about attacks on journalists?

A: That’s a really good point, because you have these consultations on Burundi, and you have this debate on protection of journalists. That’s something that I stressed to my colleagues. Protection of journalists is everywhere and also in Burundi.

Inner City Press: Will there be a statement on it?

A: You had a statement already on Sunday, you cannot have a statement every day. These are real concerns.

  Meanwhile Inner City Press was multiply informed of an offer that had been made to Nkurunziza, to ween him from the third term dream: a high but honorary post in FIFA, the football federation, as a sort of goodwill ambassador.

  Nkurunziza turned it down, Inner City Press is informed by Permanent Representatives at the UN and other diplomatic sources. Now he has sacked ministers and said it is him or Al Shabaab. What could have been, FIFA. (Inner City Press also asked on May 18 about Qatar detaining a BBC journalist while he reported on the situation of migrant workers preparing there for the FIFA World Cup.)

  On Burundi, from the UN's May 18 noon briefing transcript 

Inner City Press: on Burundi.  I wanted to ask a couple of things.  One is that there are reports of both military and police stopping people at checkpoints, checking their phones to see if they participated in anti-third term protests.  So, I wondered is that… does Mr. Djinnit or the UN have any comment on the alleged crackdown on demonstrators?  I also wanted to know, has the Secretary-General made any calls beyond the previously disclosed one to President [Uhuru] Kenyatta about the situation in Burundi?  For example, to Rwanda? And finally, I want to know if you can speak to whether DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] has facilitated the purchase and acquisition of weapons by the Government of Burundi for allegedly or reportedly for its peacekeeping operations; and if so, what safeguards are in place that those weapons are not used domestically?  Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq:  Well, on the last one, there are safeguards to make sure that all of the equipment used for peacekeeping missions is, in fact, used in peacekeeping missions.  So, that would a matter for DPKO to follow up on, but certainly, none of that equipment is meant to be used domestically by any troop-contributing country, including Burundi.  In terms of other phone calls the Secretary-General made, on Friday afternoon, he did also speak with the President of Uganda.  And like I said, now, Mr. Djinnit is in Bujumbura and he can continue some of the discussions while he's there.  I'm not aware of any calls to the President of Rwanda.  And you've asked so many questions that I've forgotten your first.

Inner City Press:  As to that, in response to people's cell phones being checked to see if they protested, but I just wanted to understand more on this question of, you're saying weapons for peacekeeping?  I mean, most countries have their own military equipment, then they deploy to a country and they get reimbursed.  But, I’m not aware that the US makes… the UN makes sure they don't… how they're used in countries.  So, I wanted to know, very specifically, acquisition of grenades in this case, what safeguards are in place?  If a country procures them with the assistance of DPKO, do they remain out of the country?  If they go back to the country, how does the DPKO have any idea how they're used?

Deputy Spokesman Haq:  DPKO follows up on how contingent-owned equipment is deployed and used.  Now on the first question, if we… if there is a confirmation of this sort of a crackdown, that would be a matter of grave concern.  Like I said, what we want to make clear is anyone responsible for ordering or committing human rights violations will be held accountable and we will take that very seriously. 

  On equipment and materiel, UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous, multiple sources exclusively complained to Inner City Press, wrote a letter urging that Burundi's government be provided with weapons, ostensibly for peacekeeping, including grenades. One letter, they said, was to Montenegro.

  The sources asked Inner City Press what safeguards if any were in place that these grenades and other weapons are not used against democracy protesters in Burundi itself. They noted that Ladsous' Department of Peacekeeping Operations "let Nkurunziza take nine million dollars from the contingent-owned equipment fund," which one called "a variation on Rwanda in '94."

 And so on May 18, Inner City Press asked UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq to explain any safeguards concerning equipment or weapons acquired by Burundi for "peacekeeping" being used domestically.

  Haq said that DPKO monitors this. Video here.

  Inner City Press asked, since countries use their own equipment for overseas deployment and charge the UN for it, how does the UN monitor how it's used when it returns to the contributing country?

  Haq insisted that DPKO monitors for this.  (When Inner City Press asked why Ladsous over the weekend chided Malians for not being thankful enough to France, Haq told Inner City Press to "Ask DPKO" -- what, Ladsous who does not answer? His spokespeople who grab microphones or use file folders to block the filming of Ladsous?

  On the afternoon of May 18, a well place African Permanent Representative told Inner City Press flatly, Ladsous should resign.

  Inner City Press asked Haq about Burundian security forces searching civilians phones for evidence they protested the possible third term. Haq said "if that is proved" -- if. 

  Haq said envoy Said Djinnit might briefing the Security Council on Wednesday May 20, and might brief the press - might.

  Inner City Press asked if Ban had called any head of state beyond Kenyatta about Burundi. Haq said, Museveni of Uganda. We'll have more on this.

  Another noted that since Ladsous had, as French Deputy Permanent Representative in the Security Council in 1994 defended the escape into Eastern Congo of the Rwanda's Hutu genocidaires, this push to sell grenades to Nkurunziza was "not surprising." But why should such an individuals be head of UN Peacekeeping? Apparently it is up to France and France alone.

  Others noted a closed door session of the UN's budget committee set for next week in which Ladsous' intervention to try to force out the whistleblower who revealed French "Sangaris" troops' child rapes in Central African Republic would have to be defended, this time by Ban Ki-moon's chief of staff Susana Malcorra.

   "Why don't they just fire Ladsous?" one well place diplomat asked Inner City Press, then answering the question: "because France." But for how long? Watch this site.

   During the UN Peacekeeping configuration meeting on May 15, Inner City Press is exclusively informed, Tanzania's Ambassador asked the UN's head of Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman why the UN and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had been so slow to condemn the coup.

   Inner City Press put the question to Ban's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq at the UN's public noon briefing on May 15, to give the UN a change to publicly explain. 

  But as on a scandal about Ban and his nephew being reported on hereby Inner City Press and media in Vietnam and South Korea, where Ban Ki-moon is headed, Haq response was essentially that the UN is good, that is does not need to explain (in the case of Ban's nephew) or should be presumed to be always deeply engaged and deeply concerned. Some simply don't believe that.

   While Haq at the May 15 noon briefing said that Ban, who has yet to speak with Nkurunziza, spoke with Kenya's President Kenyatta, Inner City Press is informed that in the closed Peacebuilding Configuration meeting it was said that Ban called Rwanda's Paul Kagame as well. If so, why didn't Haq say that? (Click here for another exclusive story about Ban's office not disclosing Ban's call with US John Kerry about Yemen).

   

In Burundi Statement, UN's Ban Ki-moon Silent on Shot Demonstrators, Media Crackdown

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 -- Eight days after the UN Security Council, the United States and the UN Peacebuilding Configuration on Burundi on May 15 issued statements urging calm in the country given the return of Pierre Nkurunziza to presumably run for a third term, on May 22 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement says he is encouraged by the dialogue since and concerned about refugees. 

  Ban said nothing about demonstrators shot, or the crack down on media.

Here is the full text:

"The Secretary-General is encouraged by the ongoing political dialogue in Bujumbura.  This involves representatives of civil society, political parties, religious organizations and the Government with the facilitation of Special Envoy Said Djinnit and representatives of the African Union, the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

"The Secretary-General applauds the participants for the progress achieved so far in the discussions, especially on measures to reduce tensions and create propitious conditions for free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections. He is concerned, however, about the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving refugees. He expresses appreciation to the neighbouring countries for their hospitality to the refugees and urges the Government of Burundi to create conditions for their return.

"The Secretary-General encourages the stakeholders to pursue the ongoing dialogue with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement on all the issues they have identified. He reiterates the availability of the United Nations to accompany the people of Burundi and the region during this process."

  What about the demonstrators shot? Ban's silence on the crackdown on media is a pattern, as Inner City Press and the Free UN Coalition for Access reported yesterday, here.

  On May 19 the International Committee of the Red Crossissued a carefully worded press release that did not directly say people were dragged out of hospitals:

"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is extremely concerned about the tense pre-election atmosphere in Burundi and its humanitarian impact on the people of that country. The organization is appealing for calm among all parties involved and asks that health-care staff be allowed to do their work safely and that medical facilities not be interfered with.

"We are very troubled by the repercussions of the violence that has taken place in Burundi," said Georgios Georgantas, head of the ICRC delegation in the country. "People must remember that human life and dignity have to be respected at all times, and that health-care staff and medical centres must be spared from, and protected against, acts of violence and vandalism," said Mr Georgantas. The ICRC is also requesting that the orders issued to police comply with prevailing standards and regulations so that the use of force will be kept to an absolute minimum.

"The crisis has given rise to humanitarian needs in the capital Bujumbura and in neighbouring countries, forcing the ICRC to step up its efforts. In Burundi, ICRC delegates visit those who have been arrested to ensure their living conditions and the treatment they are receiving are in line with international standards. The organization also provides medicines and medical equipment to the prison authorities as needed."

   What of people dragged out of hospitals? Now there's medical equipment to jails.

 On May 19 the UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said UN envoy Said Djinnit would briefing the Security Council and, he hoped, the media on May 20. But it did not happened; the Council's penholder, when asked, did not say when it might happen.

  Meanwhile Inner City Press was multiply informed of an offer that had been made to Nkurunziza, to ween him from the third term dream: a high but honorary post in FIFA, the football federation, as a sort of goodwill ambassador.

  Nkurunziza turned it down, Inner City Press is informed by Permanent Representatives at the UN and other diplomatic sources. Now he has sacked ministers and said it is him or Al Shabaab. What could have been, FIFA. (Inner City Press also asked on May 18 about Qatar detaining a BBC journalist while he reported on the situation of migrant workers preparing there for the FIFA World Cup.)

  On Burundi, from the UN's May 18 noon briefing transcript 

   

Amid Burundi Crackdown, Inner City Press Asks & UN on Djinnit, Now to UNSC

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 6, with video -- Amid protests and crackdown after Pierre Nkurunziza was nominated to run for a third term as President in seeming violation of the Arusha Peace Accord, Inner City Press has asked the UN about Burundi, most recently on May 4 and 5 and now May 6, below. Now it's said the UN's Said Djinnit will belatedly brief the Security Council on May 7 - we'll be there

Update: the May 7 Burundi meeting was canceled, and is said to be on for May 8.

  On May 6, Inner City Press asked the UN, " I don't know if you have an update on Burundi?"

  Moments later, beyond an if-asked, a statement was handed to UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, who answered Inner City Press with this:

"Regarding Burundi, after a plenary session yesterday, Burundian stakeholders continued the political dialogue.  Our Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, is facilitating work in smaller committees.  The objective of the dialogue remains to seek common grounds for creating conditions for the holding of peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections in Burundi.  Meanwhile, we welcome the arrival in Bujumbura of the foreign ministers of the East African community, and we look forward to working closely with the region on this."

  The UN is relentlessly upbeat - and marginalized. Watch this site.

 On May 4, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric:

Inner City Press: On Burundi, I want to know if you have any statement on the violence in the capital in which at least two people have been killed today protesting the third-term run of the President?

Spokesman Dujurric:  Sure, we continue to follow the events in Burundi with great concern and deplore the loss of lives and injuries as well as the destruction of property that we've seen.  We reiterate our calls to all the parties to reject violence, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid using inflammatory language, as well as to take the necessary appeasement measures to create conditions for dialogue.  In this regard, the UN mission on the ground, MENUB, has been encouraging all stakeholders to seize the opportunities of the dialogue that is organized by the Ministry of Interior with the support of the UN on 5 and 6 May.  That is tomorrow and Wednesday.  And we trust that stakeholders will see and build on this dialogue as an opportunity to defuse tensions and seek common grounds for creating conditions for the holding of peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections in Burundi.

 Later on May 4, Ban Ki-moon met with Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, but no UN read-out was issued. On May 5, Inner City Press asked for this, and about the judge who fled the country amid death threats. Video here.

   

On DR Congo, Envoys Belated Call for Action on FDLR & ADF, Silent on Reported Collusion by Congolese Army

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 1, more here -- Amid continued slaughter in Eastern Congo, with the government having thrown UN rights expert Scott Campbell out of the country, on Tuesday came a "urgent" press release by the Team of Special Envoys.

  The Envoys are now calling for action to be taken against the ADF and, once again, the FDLR.

  The Envoys "encourage the DRC government to engage a robust military action against this group with the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC and its Force Intervention Brigade.  The Envoys also call for similar action against all the other armed groups in the region, chief among them the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which have been under international pressure to dismantle by 2 January or face military action. The Envoys take note of the start of the voluntary relocation to Kisangani of some FDLR elements. They urge the FDLR to take advantage of the situation and to fully surrender and disarm as requested by the leaders of the region. Likewise, the group of Envoys recalls the urgency to complete the demobilization process of the former 23 March Movement (M23) combatants, in coordination with concerned regional states."

   Of course, the Force Intervention Brigade was directed against M23 -- but not the ADF, nor the FDLR. Many have questioned whether it will ever be used against FDLR, including due to the top position at UN Peacekeeping being held by Herve Ladsous, who argued for the escape of the genocidaires into Eastern Congo as France's Deputy Permanent Representative in the Security Council in 1994.

  As to the Congolese Army FARDC, it's worth noting that US Ambassador Samantha Power tweeted last week, "Nov 20 ADF massacre of 80+ in DRC just latest appalling atrocity. If true, reported FARDC collusion deplorable. Need investigation & justice."

  The Envoys' statement make no mention of this possible FARDC collusion.

  The Special Envoy's making today's call are UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region Said Djinnit, the US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Russ Feingold, the African Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes region Boubacar Diarra, the European Union Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes region Koen Vervaeke, the Belgium Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Franck de Coninck and UN SRSG Martin Kobler.

  Back on October 27 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo the topic in the UN Security Council, Inner City Press put questions to UN envoy Martin Kobler and Great Lakes envoy Said Djinnit after the meeting, video here.

  On the FDLR, Inner City Press asked Kobler of Rwandan Ambassador Gasana's statement that Rwanda told the UN of locations where the FDLR was not mixed in with civilians, but not action was taken.

  Kobler said that the region had put the deadline for disarmament at January 2 -- two days after Rwanda's two year Security Council membership ends -- and Djinnit added that "pressure should start" on January 2. Start?

  Inner City Press' question about the more than 100 disarmed fighters who died of starvation in a DRC Army camp was not answered. 

  After Kobler referred to the UN's stated Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, Inner City Press asked him if any UN support was withdrawn over the DRC Army's 130 rapes in Minova and only two convictions. Kobler's answer did not mention any aid suspended. 

  Finally, as Kobler said "au revoir," Inner City Press asked why another MONUSCO drone had crashed. Kobler to his credit returned to the microphone and cited weather, while saying the investigation is not complete. We'll have more on this. 

  Earlier in the Council, Kobler recounted an attack on the UN base in Beni and praised "decisive action" by peacekeepers to turn it back.

 But wire services reported that UN "peacekeepers fired live rounds to disperse hundreds of people protesting outside a UN base in the eastern Congolese town of Beni." Inner City Press on October 22 asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq to confirm or deny this live fire.

  Haq, who had read-out a vague account of events in Beni, video here,said that's not the information the UN has. So has the UN sought any correction from Reuters, and from Voice of America which despite its budget just re-ran the Reuters story?

  Later in the UN Security Council meeting, Rwanda's Ambassador Gasana noted that while the UN is spending $2 billion a year on its mission in the DRC, the FDLR militia is still there. Not present at the meeting was UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous: 1994 memo here,2014 Vine here.

  The DRC's speech, eight pages in length, defended the government's expulsion of UN human rights official Scott Campbell, mentioning him eight times - but did not update or mention even once the DRC Army's 130 rapes in Minova, for which only two soldiers were convicted. We'll have more on this.

  And overall, should the UN be using live fire on protesters? Should the UN be working with the Congolese security forces who unquestionably use such live fire, even according to the UN?

After the DR Congo government of Joseph Kabila threw UN human rights official Scott Campbell out of the country, on October 21 Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for the Security Council to consider taking action on it.

  But why does his Department of Peacekeeping Operations under Herve Ladsous continue working with the Congolese security forces, as it continued even with the Army units involved in 130 rapes in Minova in November 2012?

 On October 21, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Stphane Dujarric: 

Inner City Press: Let me ask on the Scott Campbell expulsion, it seems like the Secretary-General is asking the Security Council to take action but the Secretariat itself has the power.  Can you say that… what would you say to those who say MONUSCO continues to actively work with the DRC army and police and to provide material support to FARDC [Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo] actions.  This is something that DPKO itself could suspend.  Are they asking the Security Council to tell them to enforce some policy, or what?

Spokesman Dujarric: The Security Council will have to decide what it needs to do.  MONUSCO obviously has a mandate that it's implementing.  It's continuing to work to implement its wide mandate.  I think the Secretary-General's call to the Government of the DRC could not be clearer.

Inner City Press: But does MONUSCO work in support or in conjunction with the units named in Mr. Campbell's report in terms of the Congolese police?  Does the human rights due diligence policy of DPKO apply to this instance?

Spokesman Dujarric: I will… my understanding is they do not, but we'll see what more details we can dig up.

  Twenty four hours later, no "details" had been dug up, or at least none were provided to Inner City Press. So Inner City Press asked Haq, yes or no, does MONUSCO work with those Congolese security units. Video here.

 Haq said they are police, not the army. So? Does the UN not know who it is working with? Or does it only not want to say?

Back on Friday October 17 Inner City Press asked Dujarric:

Inner City Press: I wanted to ask the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said it’s throwing Scott Campbell, the human rights UN person in the country, out of the country.  And Lambert Mende has been quoted saying this has taken place.  What’s the reaction to that? 

  Dujarric had a prepared statement, beginning "On the issue of Scott Campbell, we’ve seen the reports.  None of these reports have been confirmed to us." (Full exchange on video here.)

   But Campbell has already LEFT the DRC by then: a UN statement issued on October 19 says "Mr. Campbell left the DRC on Friday for long planned holidays."

  UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous still supports the DRC Army units which committed over 130 rapes in Minova in November 2012 after losing a battle to the M23 rebels, despite only two soldiers being convicted of rape. What message did Ladsous send by non enforcing the UN's claimed Human Rights Due Diligence Policy?

  And after using its Force Intervention Brigade to "neutralize" the M23 - dozens of the disarmed fighters were put in a DRC Army camp and starved to death -- Ladsous' MONUSCO has yet to even try to neutralized the genocide-linked FDLR. What message has that sent?

   When Kabila was in Washington in August, his entourage beat up protesters and left the country without prosecution, as recounted below.

Six weeks after Inner City Press began asking the UN questions about its MONUSCO mission flying the FDLR's sanctioned leader from Eastern Congo to Kinsasha, on August 7 the Press was able to ask MONUSCO chief Martin Kobler directly. Video here and embedded below.

   But the night before Kobler's appearance, along with Mary Robinson and Russ Feingold, at the UN Security Council's Democratic Republic of the Congo debate, DRC President Joseph Kabila's bodyguards were beating up protesters 200 miles south in Washington. US State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf on August 8 said:

"We are troubled by the attacks against several protesters by members of the official delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  It was Wednesday evening.  Take the right to freedom of expression very seriously, and violence against peaceful protesters is totally unacceptable.  We communicated our concern to the delegation in the strongest possible terms.  We requested waivers of immunity to permit those involved to face prosecution, and if such waivers were not issued, we required that the immediate departure from the country of the individuals involved.  They did not waive immunity and the individuals involved left the country on Thursday."

 So amid the speeches in the Security Council on Thursday, August 7, officials from the DRC were leaving the US after attacking protesters and refusing to waive immunity.

   On August 7 in New York, Kobler said it had been transparent, than when the UN Security Council's sanctions committee denied the waiver requested by Herve Ladsous, the FDLR leader was returned "to the bush."

  Inner City Press asked, isn't he subject to an arrest warrant in Rwanda? Kobler said he was unaware of that.

  On the mere two convictions for the 130 rapes by the Congolese Army in Minova in November 2012, Kobler said the legal process was OK --video here -- but that the investigation was not sufficient.

  The third Press questions, which Kobler did not answer, concerned the rehabilitation of General Amisi after a failure to investigate the charges against him. We will have more on this.

  On back June 27 amid reports that the UN flew a sanctioned militia leader of the FDLR militia on a UN aircraft in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujurric about it at the UN noon briefing on June 27:

Inner City Press: why did MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] fly him to Goma to Kisangani and then to Kinshasa when, in fact, I think there’s an arrest warrant for him?

Spokesman Dujarric: I’m not aware of any other services provided to him by MONUSCO.

 But it turns out that UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous flew the sanctioned FDLR leader from Eastern Congo to Kinshasa. Rwanda complained about this, in writing, on June 26.

  On July 16, Inner City Press asked Rwanda's Deputy Permanent Representative what has been Ladsous' Department of Peacekeeping Operations' response. 

  There has BEEN no response - in more than three weeks. Video here, and embedded below.

  Little more than an hour later, Ladsous floated into the Security Council to talk about Central African Republic -- without having answered a written complaint from a Security Council member in more than three weeks. We call this: unaccountable. 

Dujarric on June 27, and in the subsequent times Inner City Press asked, insisted that not only Mary Robinson (who today left her post as the UN's Great Lakes envoy) but also US envoy Russ Feingold requested the waiver, and that the FDLR leader Gaston Iyamuremye a/k/a Rumuli had not traveled to Rome, arguing that only that was important.

  Inner City Press disagrees -- why would UN Peacekeeping underHerve Ladsous given his history on Rwanda, representing France in the Security Council in 1994 arguing for the escape of the genocidaires into Eastern Congo, fly a sanctioned FDLR figure linked to the genocide around? 

  On July 15,  Haq said Rumuli  was escorted from Kinshasa back to the east. Video here.

  Inner City Press asked about MONUSCO escorting Rumuli.

  Haq said what he had read did not say MONUSCO did the escorting. So who did? And if not the UN, how does the UN know where Rumuli went? Watch this site.