The International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has warned Burundi’s political players against promoting violence.
In a statement, she says she is following the ugly events in Burundi and she will not hesitate to prosecute all those involved in triggering violence ahead of the general elections.
Bensouda also adds that as witnessed in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, electoral competition, when gone astray, can trigger large-scale crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC and that she will not hesitate to investigate the Burundian situation.
Burundi has been a State Party of the ICC since 2004.
The ICC was established to try those accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide when the state(s) concerned fail to do so.
Earlier the pan African parliament expressed concern over the deteriorating political situation in Burundi.
Speaking to Kfm one of Uganda’s representatives to the Continent’s parliament Onyango Kakooba called for dialogue further noting that the matter is to be discussed later this week when they meet.
Recently, violent protests broke out in Burundi after President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a third term; with critics said this was against the spirit of their constitution that provides for two terms.
At least 18 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in the protests against President Nkurunziza’s move to seek a third term.
