UN peacekeepers condemn Burundi massacre

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. peacekeeping force for Burundi expressed outrage on Saturday at a massacre in which more than 150 refugees were killed and warned those responsible that they would be made to pay.

“ONUB (the U.N. Operation in Burundi) will not hesitate to play its role in protecting civilians and will take all necessary measures towards this,” said a statement issued by the U.N. headquarters in New York. Hutu rebels and allied attackers armed with guns and machetes killed at least 159 people in “a plan of genocide” at a camp for Tutsi Congolese refugees in western Burundi on Friday, the Burundi army said.”ONUB is waiting for the results of the investigation underway into this monstrous act,” the U.N. statement said.”(It) strongly condemns the massacre and reminds the perpetrators — which include the rebel FNL of Agathon Rwasa who claimed responsibility for the attack — that they will answer for their acts against humanity.”The attack took place at the Gatumba refugee transit camp, some 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Bujumbura.In claiming responsibility, the Hutu Forces for National Liberation said they were aiming to hit a military camp nearby.The U.N. peacekeeping force, due to have 5,650 soldiers when it reaches full strength, was set up in May to ensure peace promises between civil war enemies are implemented.The funerals of the 160 people slaughtered have been postponed until Monday for logistical reasons, government officials said.”The burials have been delayed until tomorrow (Monday) at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT),” Gaudefroid Hakizimana, minister for professional training, told AFP.”Everything is not ready, there are not enough coffins and the tombs are not ready.We are also waiting for family members from Kigali and Kinshasa.””We thought it wiser to postpone the ceremony,” he said.The victims, most of them Tutsi refugees from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were shot, burned and hacked to death on Friday night in an attack blamed on a coalition of armed groups from Burundi and neighbouring countries.- Nampa-ReutersHutu rebels and allied attackers armed with guns and machetes killed at least 159 people in “a plan of genocide” at a camp for Tutsi Congolese refugees in western Burundi on Friday, the Burundi army said.”ONUB is waiting for the results of the investigation underway into this monstrous act,” the U.N. statement said.”(It) strongly condemns the massacre and reminds the perpetrators — which include the rebel FNL of Agathon Rwasa who claimed responsibility for the attack — that they will answer for their acts against humanity.”The attack took place at the Gatumba refugee transit camp, some 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Bujumbura.In claiming responsibility, the Hutu Forces for National Liberation said they were aiming to hit a military camp nearby.The U.N. peacekeeping force, due to have 5,650 soldiers when it reaches full strength, was set up in May to ensure peace promises between civil war enemies are implemented.The funerals of the 160 people slaughtered have been postponed until Monday for logistical reasons, government officials said.”The burials have been delayed until tomorrow (Monday) at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT),” Gaudefroid Hakizimana, minister for professional training, told AFP.”Everything is not ready, there are not enough coffins and the tombs are not ready.We are also waiting for family members from Kigali and Kinshasa.””We thought it wiser to postpone the ceremony,” he said.The victims, most of them Tutsi refugees from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were shot, burned and hacked to death on Friday night in an attack blamed on a coalition of armed groups from Burundi and neighbouring countries.- Nampa-Reuters