The USA has extended sanctions against four Burundians

Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, one of the four Burundians sanctioned by the USA

The situation in Burundi, which is still marked by unrest, incitement to violence, killing of people, violence against civilians and significant political repression threatens peace, security and stability in the country. It also poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, Barack Obama, the US president has determined this 9 November that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13712 with respect to the situation in Burundi.

This measure concerns four Burundians namely Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, Minister of Public Safety, Godefroid Bizimana, deputy director general of the National Police, General Godefroid Niyombare who was head of the failed coup of May and Cyrille Ndayirukiye, former Minister of Defense. According to the Executive Order 13712 of 22 November 2015, the US President Barack Obama imposed sanctions against them for their responsibility concerning the violence that shook Burundi. Thus, all properties and interests of these four persons that are in the US are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported or withdrawn.

In a letter from the president to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the Senate, Barack Obama has declared this 9 November, the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burundi following the Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) that provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration. He stated in Executive Order 13712 of November 22, 2015, with respect to the situation in Burundi to continue in effect beyond November 22, 2016. We have tried to look for Burundi Government’s reaction but in vain.