Burundi's presidency says U.S. sanctions against 4 officials "unfriendly" act

Burundi took note of sanctions decided earlier this week by the United States against four Burundians for their alleged role in the country's crisis, saying it is an unfriendly diplomatic act, the president's office said Thursday.

"It is fine if the United States condemns those who staged the failed coup plot. But putting them in the same box with those who fought coup plotters is scandalous and shocking," Willy Nyamitwe, senior communication officer at the Burundian president's office told a press conference.

He indicated that putting in the "same box" the public security minister and the police deputy-director general and coup plotters means believing in one thing and its opposite at the same time.

"There are people who are arming civilians and those armed people, in return, terrorize citizens in bars, households and even security forces by blasting grenades or opening fire. These are the ones that should face sanctions," said Nyamitwe.

He said, "It is an unfriendly diplomatic act which is the result of a tarnishing campaign that Burundi is facing for a couple of months."

"The campaign is managed by Samantha Power, senior official at the Office of U.S. President Obama. Her tweets have a propagandist look against the Burundian government and this can be explained by the fact that she has close relationships with Alexis Sinduhije, a Burundian violent opposition leader," said Nyamitwe.

On Monday, the United States took sanctions against four Burundian senior officials for their alleged in the east African country's crisis.

The U.S. accuses Burundian Security Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni of having engaged police agents in actions that threaten peace and security and remote-controlled operations with Imbonerakure youth militia to intimidate opponents of the government.

Police Deputy-Director General Godefroid Bizimana is accused of having engaged in actions threatening human rights.

He is accused of having directed police operations to disrupt peaceful protests of those opposed to the Burundian government, including a disproportionate use of force and acts of violent repression.

The remaining two officials who face U.S. sanctions were leaders in the failed coup plot of May 13.

They include Major General Godefroid Niyombare, leader of the group of soldiers and policemen who attempted to overthrow Burundian institutions on May 13.

The U.S. accuses General Niyombare of threatening peace and security by attempting to overthrow institutions and contributing to the deterioration of the country's stability.

Major General Cyrille Ndayirukiye, who was the deputy-leader of the coup plotters, is also accused, by the U.S. of contributing to the deterioration of the country's stability.

General Niyombare is in exile since the failed coup plot while General Ndayirukiye is in jail in Burundi.

Sanctions include a freeze of assets and visa restrictions.

Violence broke out in April after Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term.

His controversial re-election in July raised massive protests, leaving more than 240 dead in clashes.

More than 200,000 civilians have fled to neighboring countries amid crisis. Endit