US backs AU peacekeepers for Burundi as Security Council visits The United States is still pushing for AU peacekeepers to be allowed into Burundi, despite its president’s refusal of the plan, the US Ambassador to the UN told AFP on Tuesday ahead of a Security Council mission to the crisis-hit country. Samantha Power said work is continuing to try to convince the Burundian government to accept peacekeeping troops. The French Ambassador to the UN meanwhile said the Security Council’s primary aim is to stop inter-ethnic violence. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES