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Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson condemns attacks in Burundi
In a statement issued today (4 August), a Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson condemned the attacks in Burundi on the former intelligence chief on 2 August and on a prominent human rights activist on 3 August:
The attacks in Bujumbura on General Adolphe Nshimirimana and his driver on 2 August and on the prominent human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa on 3 August are acts of barbaric violence. I would like to convey our condolences to the families of the victims. We hope that Mr Mbonimpa will make a speedy recovery.
The German Government urgently calls on the Government of Burundi and on all those responsible in the country to refrain from any use of violence. The cycle of violence in Burundi can only be broken if all those involved pursue a path of peaceful dialogue in order to solve the crisis by consensus through the restoration of inclusive and democratic political conditions.
Along with our partners in the European Union, we support the mediation efforts by the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations aimed at continuing the peaceful development of the country reached in the Arusha agreements.
Background information:
On the morning of 2 August, armed men in uniform carried out an attack in Bujumbura on the former chief of the Burundian intelligence service, General Adolphe Nshimirimana, killing him and his driver.
Yesterday (3 August), the prominent human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa was shot and seriously wounded while driving home from work in his car by a gunman on a motorbike. Mr Mbonimpa is in intensive care.
In a statement on 23 July, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said that the presidential election in Burundi on 21 July was not representative, inclusive or credible. She announced the launch of consultations as provided for in Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement and said that the EU was preparing to adopt restrictive measures that could be imposed in cases of further violence or actions that hamper the quest for a political solution.
In recent months, around 175,000 people have fled Burundi, mainly to the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Tanzania.