France "concerned" by escalating violence in Burundi, urges dialogue

France expressed concerns over the worsening security situation in Burundi and called for a "credible and inclusive national dialogue" to end the fresh wave of violence that hit the eastern African country, a government official said Tuesday.

"The UN Security Council met yesterday at our request in New York. Efforts are under way to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the violence and re-launch a credible and inclusive national dialogue," said Romain Nadal, French foreign ministry spokesperson.

In its resolution draft presented to council members on Monday, Paris asked to reinforce U.N. presence in Burundi and to consider targeted sanctions against Burundian officials who were working to fuel violence and hamper efforts to end the conflict.

On Monday, two people were killed and a policeman wounded in gun shooting in Bujumbura. In an earlier separate incident, nine people, including a UN employee, were shot dead at a bar by armed men in police uniform.

Condemning the attack, France stressed "the perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice."

Since April 2015, 240 people have been killed and 200,000 others have been force to flee violent unrest triggered by protests over president Pierre Nkurunziza's election for a third term. Endit