By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 4 -- 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.
On June 4, with the UN still insisting Bizimana doesn't work with them -- yet -- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued this statement:
"The Secretary-General remains concerned about the potential for violence in Burundi to escalate further. He reiterates his call for calm and restraint.
"The Secretary-General urges the Burundian authorities to abide by their international commitments with respect to human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly. He calls on the authorities to ensure that the security forces avoid the use of excessive force in handling demonstrations. He stresses that those responsible for ordering or committing human rights violations will be held accountable. He notes that the Security Council intends to consider the various tools at its disposal to safeguard peace in Burundi and ensure accountability.
"The Secretary-General encourages Burundian stakeholders to resume in earnest the consultative political dialogue facilitated by his Special Envoy, Said Djinnit. He hopes the parties to the dialogue will implement, without delay, the confidence-building measures already agreed.
"The Secretary-General continues to engage with regional and other leaders on the political crisis in Burundi. He welcomes the Communiqué of the 31 May Summit of the East African Community (EAC), and urges the swift implementation of measures to help create the conditions for the holding of peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in Burundi, such as the disarmament of all armed youth groups affiliated with political parties."
"The Secretary-General urges the Burundian authorities to abide by their international commitments with respect to human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly. He calls on the authorities to ensure that the security forces avoid the use of excessive force in handling demonstrations. He stresses that those responsible for ordering or committing human rights violations will be held accountable. He notes that the Security Council intends to consider the various tools at its disposal to safeguard peace in Burundi and ensure accountability.
"The Secretary-General encourages Burundian stakeholders to resume in earnest the consultative political dialogue facilitated by his Special Envoy, Said Djinnit. He hopes the parties to the dialogue will implement, without delay, the confidence-building measures already agreed.
"The Secretary-General continues to engage with regional and other leaders on the political crisis in Burundi. He welcomes the Communiqué of the 31 May Summit of the East African Community (EAC), and urges the swift implementation of measures to help create the conditions for the holding of peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in Burundi, such as the disarmament of all armed youth groups affiliated with political parties."
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?
On June 3, Inner City Press asked Dujarric again. Video here. This time, Dujarric said anyone can apply through the UN's Inspira system. But this is a letter from the government of Burundi. Dujarric insisted, lets just see who gets the job. So much for due diligence?
Nor was an Inner City Press question to the UN about theimpact of the situation in Burundi on its troops in Somaliaanswered. We will continue to ask.