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Burundi crisis: US tells its citizens to leave | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US state department is warning Americans not to travel to Burundi as political violence there increases. | The US state department is warning Americans not to travel to Burundi as political violence there increases. |
A travel warning issued on Sunday urges US citizens in the central African country to leave "as soon as it is feasible to do so". | A travel warning issued on Sunday urges US citizens in the central African country to leave "as soon as it is feasible to do so". |
On Friday, 87 people were killed after three military sites were attacked, Burundi's army said. | On Friday, 87 people were killed after three military sites were attacked, Burundi's army said. |
US rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Sunday called for an investigation into the killings. | US rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Sunday called for an investigation into the killings. |
Protests in Burundi began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office. | Protests in Burundi began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office. |
Last month, Belgium advised its citizens to leave Burundi, while the EU cut staff levels, temporarily evacuating employees' "families and part of the non-essential staff". | Last month, Belgium advised its citizens to leave Burundi, while the EU cut staff levels, temporarily evacuating employees' "families and part of the non-essential staff". |
"As a result of continuing violence, the Department of State ordered the departure of dependents of US government personnel and non-emergency US government personnel from Burundi," the US statement read. | "As a result of continuing violence, the Department of State ordered the departure of dependents of US government personnel and non-emergency US government personnel from Burundi," the US statement read. |
"The US Embassy is able to offer only very limited emergency services to US citizens in Burundi." | "The US Embassy is able to offer only very limited emergency services to US citizens in Burundi." |
It also gave advice for citizens who may encounter violence, advising them to stay indoors in ground floor rooms, away from doors and windows. | It also gave advice for citizens who may encounter violence, advising them to stay indoors in ground floor rooms, away from doors and windows. |
Col Gaspard Baratuza said 87 people were killed in clashes in the country's capital, Bujumbura, on Friday - 79 "enemies" and eight soldiers and policemen. | Col Gaspard Baratuza said 87 people were killed in clashes in the country's capital, Bujumbura, on Friday - 79 "enemies" and eight soldiers and policemen. |
Witnesses told AFP that some of those killed were shot execution-style with their arms tied round their backs. | Witnesses told AFP that some of those killed were shot execution-style with their arms tied round their backs. |
Carina Tertsakian, HRW's researcher for Burundi, called for a "serious and independent" enquiry into the killings. | Carina Tertsakian, HRW's researcher for Burundi, called for a "serious and independent" enquiry into the killings. |
"This is by far the most serious incident, with the highest number of victims, since the start of the crisis in April," she said. | "This is by far the most serious incident, with the highest number of victims, since the start of the crisis in April," she said. |
"A serious, independent investigation is urgently needed to find out the exact circumstances in which these people were killed." | "A serious, independent investigation is urgently needed to find out the exact circumstances in which these people were killed." |
BBC Africa analyst Richard Hamilton said bodies on the streets were almost a daily occurrence in Bujumbura, but that this was the largest number of deaths in one night. | BBC Africa analyst Richard Hamilton said bodies on the streets were almost a daily occurrence in Bujumbura, but that this was the largest number of deaths in one night. |
Violent clashes hit Burundi in April, a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his bid for a third term in office. | Violent clashes hit Burundi in April, a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his bid for a third term in office. |
Mr Nkurunziza was nominated to run by his governing CNDD-FDD party, a move opponents argued was unconstitutional. | Mr Nkurunziza was nominated to run by his governing CNDD-FDD party, a move opponents argued was unconstitutional. |
According to the UN, at least 240 people have been killed and more than 200,000 have fled to neighbouring countries since April, raising fears of a civil war. | According to the UN, at least 240 people have been killed and more than 200,000 have fled to neighbouring countries since April, raising fears of a civil war. |
Timeline - Burundi crisis | Timeline - Burundi crisis |
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