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U.S. to slap sanctions on four individuals in Burundi over violence: White House

Xinhua, November 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered sanctions against four individuals in Burundi over the unfolding violence in the Eastern African country, the White House said Monday.

"Today President Obama issued a new Executive Order imposing sanctions against person who have contributed to the ongoing crisis in Burundi," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Among the sanctioned individuals are Burundi's Minister of Public Security Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, Deputy Director-General of the National Police Godefroid Bizimana, former Chief of Intelligence Service Godefroid Niyombare, and former Minister of Defense Cyrille Ndayirukiye.

They will face blocked assets and visa restrictions, according to the statement.

Violence broke out in April after Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term. His controversial re-election in July fomented massive protests, leaving more than 240 dead in clashes. More than 200,000 civilians have fled to neighboring countries amid crisis.

"The United States remains opposed to the use of violence or other unlawful means to achieve aims or to seize power," Price said, adding that sanctions against "additional individuals is ongoing" if these people "resort to violence and obstruct a political resolution to this crisis."

According to the statement, the European Union and the African Union "have also decided to impose sanctions on those Burundians undermining peace in the country." Endit