Burundian civil society groups called on the African Union (AU) to intervene over Kenya's restrictions on foreign traders, warning that the measures risk fuelling xenophobia against Burundian nationals and other Africans living and working in the country.
Footage shows leaders from several organisations addressing journalists at Hotel Source du Nil in Bujumbura on Wednesday.
Prime Mbarubukeye, President of the National Observatory for the Fight Against Transnational Crime, 'Where is your brother?' urged the AU to establish an independent commission to investigate what he described as 'flagrant human rights violations' against Burundians in Kenya.
"Current xenophobia in the 21st century is weakening the very foundations of African solidarity. It generates violence, discrimination, and divisions which even truly contradict the pan-African ideal held by our ancestors and enshrined by the African Union and almost all national, regional, and international legal instruments," he said.
Mbarubukeye also stressed the importance of freedom of movement to Africa's long-term development, citing AU provisions in support of his argument.
Gabriel Rufyiri, president of the Observatory for the Fight Against Corruption and Economic Embezzlement (OLUCOME), called on governments to work together to prevent hostility towards migrants.
"To see that Africans are killing each other is a shame for Africa. And that would be, in fact, a sign of underdevelopment," said Rufyiri. "To be able to practise this phenomenon of xenophobia, it is a phenomenon which shows that we are really a little far away."
Kenya has tightened rules affecting foreign traders, with President William Ruto pushing for some small-scale businesses to be reserved for citizens. Foreign nationals running businesses have been given 90 days to regularise their immigration status, work permits, registration and licences before stricter enforcement begins.
Burundi's Foreign Affairs Ministry said some of its citizens involved in small-scale trade in Kenya had faced mistreatment and discrimination.