Burundi dismisses Francophonie's suspended cooperation amid political crisis

The Burundian government has said it will not be affected by a decision of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to suspend cooperation with the country.

The OIF, or known as Francophonie, announced the decision on Thursday, citing Burundi's worsening security and its delay in launching dialogue to end a year-long political crisis.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term, which he later won.

Government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba on Friday said the OIF "fell in a trap by some Burundian politicians very close to the OIF."

He said the OIF never sent delegates to Burundi during the 2015 elections to judge "the bad or the good willingness" of the government to settle the crisis.

He also dismissed the decision by saying "Burundian citizens using French for business or for trade are not many comparing to the country's ten million people", and alleging "very few" Burundians know the OIF.

President Nkurunziza's re-election bid has triggered a string of protests and violence, in which over 400 people are reportedly killed.

Opponents say his move has violated the country's constitution which limits presidents to two terms in office.

Last month, the European Union suspended its direct aid to the Burundian government over the crisis. Endit