UN Security Council Resolution 2279 was passed on April 1, 2016, with the intention of battling the tense situation in Burundi. It moves forward in deploying a UN police force, which will be accepted by Burundi’s government, as its aim is to help maintain their security. This resolution intends to address the human rights violations involving killing, various forms of violence, and threats to freedom that have been identified.

As a country that endured civil war, which was based on ethnic tensions primarily between the Hutu and Tutsi groups from 1993 until 2005, there has been a long and problematic struggle in achieving stability in post-colonial Burundi with hopes of peace. Combinations of kidnappings, military coups, and assassinations have taken place over the years implicating various mainstream and extremist peripheral groups, which has led to obstacles and forced regulated curfews for safety.

To better understand the catalyst for the escalated situation and the most recent violence, President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his third run in April of 2015 for President in a country with a two-term limit. Although he was successful by July, the loss of many lives has been linked and considered by some to be comparable to, the beginnings of an emerging genocide. There have been growing numbers of internally displaced people. For example, approximately 250,000 have fled, and hundreds have been killed in the process.

Critics of the situation, including the founder of Genocide Watch, have expressed the possibility of it being too late by the time enough international organizations begin openly addressing the potential for genocide. Amnesty International has directed attention towards multiple mass graves near Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital. Following a rebel attack in December of last year, Burundian forces retaliated by entering neighbourhoods and killing or taking away dozens of people from their homes. Analyzing satellite image evidence that has been acquired to identify body removals and grave sites, in conjunction with receiving witness accounts, show that there are investigative efforts in motion.

External relations have also been stressed, with ties steadily worsening with their neighbouring country, Rwanda. Burundi has claimed Rwandan President Paul Kagame as being over-involved in other countries’ internal affairs, exporting genocide to Burundi, and of destabilization through training Burundian rebels. Considering Rwanda’s history with genocide, the accusations have been surprising as they allude to President Kagame as having been a proponent of genocide when there is no evidence to suggest that is the case. As well, Rwanda has made huge strides towards economic and political development in the last decade.