New York: The UN Security Council is considering a trip to Burundi to throw a spotlight on the East African nation's escalating political violence, US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said.
Power, who took over the council's rotating presidency for the month of December, said council members were united in their willingness to visit Burundi in an effort to end the violence, which has left 200 people dead and led to more than 200,000 others fleeing the country.
"Members of the Security Council have expressed deep interest in traveling to Burundi," Power said.
"Such a trip would demonstrate growing international concern about the escalating violence and growing regional instability." Council members were also discussing a set of recommendations by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for options to increase the UN presence on the ground.
The country has been in turmoil since Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza's April announcement that he would seek a third term in office, despite a constitutional two-term limit. Nkurunziza went on to defy violent protests to win a July election that was boycotted by the opposition.
The opposition has warned that peace can only be restored if Nkurunziza steps down and calls fresh elections.
QNA
