Prevent Genocide in Burundi

Conflict is escalating at an alarming rate in Burundi. The UN News Centre, the Washington Post, BBC, NPR, CNN, and many other news outlets have reported on the potential for the ongoing violence to descend into genocide. Hundreds of people have been killed, many recently, and dead bodies appear on the streets daily. Burundian leaders are using rhetoric eerily similar to what was heard before the Rwandan genocide. More than 200,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. Condemnation and sanctions are not enough. Preventing further violence and genocide must be a diplomatic priority by any means. We ask President Obama to take a strong stance at the upcoming UN Special Session, support the deployment of peacekeeping forces, and provide ample humanitarian assistance to those affected.