BUJUMBURA Burundi (Xinhua) — Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has promised sanctions against people who hide among demonstrators, insulting Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his country, the Burundian president made the warning on Saturday in Cibitoke province.
“I denounce and condemn some people who hide amongst demonstrators and who insult Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his country.
“Those people have been hiding among demonstrators and holding banners whose origin is not known,” Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza told citizens after community works.
According to Nkurunziza, there is no need to insult a neighboring country or its president with a view of “inciting hatred” between both countries.
He stressed that Burundian and Rwandan citizens have the right to live in peace and security as they have always been neighbors.
“The National Intelligence Service (SNR) and security forces must do all they can to arrest those persons and bring them before trial,” said Nkurunziza.
On Feb. 13 and Feb. 20, pro-government demonstrations took place nationwide to support African Union leaders for not deciding to send AU troops into Burundi to prevent genocide or massive killing as suggested by the AU Peace and Security Council on Dec. 17, 2015.
The demonstrations are also aimed to denounce the role of Rwanda in “destabilizing” Burundi.
Organizers of those demonstrators said that those demonstrations will be held every Saturday until the citizens’ desire is fulfilled.
Burundi is facing a political crisis that broke out in April 2015 following the announcement by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would be seeking a third term.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.
Over 400 persons are reported to have been killed since then.