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Several analysts and human right groups expressed outrage after the president of the Burundian senate, Révérien Ndikuriyo, called for authorities in the districts of the capital Bujumbura to start the "work" earlier in November.

Ndikuriyo made the remarks during a speech he delivered in Kirundi, the country's national language, in which he used the word "kora", which means "work" or "start work". This is the same code-word used in Rwanda to incite people to kill Tutsis in 1994.

Referring to a 7 November deadline given by President Pierre Nkurunziza calling on people to hand in illegal firearms, Ndikuriyo warned that those who refused to give up weapons would be "sprayed like cockroaches".

Similar to the rhetoric spread in Rwanda to incite people to kill, Ndikuriyo also told the so-called "heads of the districts" that nothing would happen to them and, if they abided by the government's instructions, they would be rewarded with the properties belonging to the "traitors". He also used expressions such as "pulverise and exterminate" opponents who he said are "good only for dying".

Burundi rejected warnings by the international community that violence in the country could lead to a genocide. Government's spokeperson Philippe Nzobonariba also accused US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, of being biased against Nkurunziza.

The comments were made after Power criticised Nkurunziza for issuing the deadline and for warning that people who refused to hand in weapons would be treated as "enemies of the nation".

Minister for security Alain Guillaume Bunyoni told a news conference on Sunday (8 November) that the disarmament process had been launched "with respect for human rights." He added: "The security forces are there and will stay until peace is restored. And whoever will try to oppose the return of peace will ... have troubles."