Inner City Press: Investigative Reporting from the United Nations

On Burundi, Ban Condoles Those Killed, But Still No Envoy, "Pragmatic"

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, October 15 -- As killings in Burundi increase, still without UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon naming a UN envoy, Ban on October 15 offered condolences:

"The Secretary-General condemns the killing of nine civilians and two police officers in Bujumbura on 13 October, amid exchanges of heavy of gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the city. The civilians, including a staff member of the International Organization for Migration, Mr. Evariste Mbonihankuye, were reportedly shot at close range.

"The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He urges Burundian authorities to undertake a rigorous and prompt investigation into the circumstances and motives behind these despicable crimes in order to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice."

Amid crackdowns in Burundi by security forces, and allegations of sexual abuse by Burundian peacekeepers serving under the UN flag, UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous on October 1 held a meeting with Burundian Vice President Joseph Butore.

Inner City Press has already tweeted a photograph of the meeting, but has now received the complete UN read-out, which raises more questions about Ladsous.

   On the crackdown, Ladsous assured Butore that he has a “pragmatic approach” and is of no mind to question what happens in any country, does not involve himself in "domestic affairs."

   On the sexual abuse allegations, Ladsous spoke only in platitudes, without requiring or even inquiring into any actions taken by the Burundians on the alleged abuse.

   Even though Burundi was already given a “grace period” to bring appropriate equipment into the Central African Republic for the MINUSCA mission, they have not done so. In the meeting, according to the read-out, Butore "acknowledged" the substandard equipment.

   Butore requested, and Ladsous for now granted, yet another extension to bring the requirement equipment -- until March 2016 for light equipment, and to June 2016 for heavy equipment.

Is this safe - even for the Burundian soldiers at issue? While speaking through press releases, Ladsous' spokespeople, far from answering questions, go so far as to direct UNTV boom microphone operators to avoid Inner City Press, even preventing the Press from asking any questions to Mali's Foreign Minister Abdulaye Diop last week. We'll have more on all this.

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