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UN moves to pull Burundi back from ‘possible genocide’

– Avoiding genocide –

Rycroft, whose country chairs the Security Council this month, cited sanctions, a peacekeeping force and political pressure as some of the “tools” available to prevent mass atrocities.

The council warned in the resolution that it was ready to consider “appropriate measures,” but a specific reference to “targeted sanctions” against Burundian leaders who incite attacks was removed in the final draft.

The changes were made after Russia and some African countries argued that sanctions would not be helpful to encouraging a settlement.

The United Nations, European Union and African Union separately called for a meeting between Burundi’s government and the opposition to be held outside the country, in Uganda or Ethiopia.

“No effort can be spared to achieve an end to the violence and to foster a political solution,” said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, African Union chairman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and United Nations Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson.

Burundi’s civil war from 1993 to 2006 left some 300,000 people dead as rebels from the majority Hutu people clashed with an army dominated by the minority Tutsis.

Diplomats have raised concerns about Rwanda becoming embroiled in the conflict after President Paul Kagame accused Burundi’s leaders of carrying out “massacres” on their people.

UN envoy Jamal Benomar was appointed this week to coordinate efforts with the African Union to pull Burundi back from the brink.

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The deployment of a UN force in Burundi would require the approval of Bujumbura authorities or a decision from the Security Council under a chapter 7 resolution, which authorizes the use of force.

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