Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Another Protestor Dies As Burundi President Refuses To Delay Poll


Burundian demonstrators protest against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in Musaga, a district of Bujumbura, on May 11, 2015 ©Landry Nshimiye (AFP)

A protester died in new clashes with police on the streets of Burundi's capital Tuesday, a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza rejected international calls to delay elections for a controversial third term bid.

The body of the victim, covered in the country's flag, was carried by about 100 other demonstrators to the home of the district's mayor, demanding he organize the funeral.

The death takes the toll from weeks of anti-government demonstrations to 20.

Police apparently opened fire on protesters to scatter crowds who wanted to attack the house of a police officer.

Witnesses told AFP the man was hit in the head. An AFP journalist at the scene also saw two other people with gunshot wounds, one of them a boy of around 10, hit in the arm.

In another area of the capital Bujumbura, officers fired tear gas to break up a crowd of some 200 youths.

While the police have ripped down barricades on main roads set up during more than two weeks of protests, side streets in key opposition areas remain blocked, guarded by angry demonstrators.

Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader from the Hutu majority who has been in power since 2005, has come under intense international pressure to withdraw from next month's election and stand down.

East African leaders are to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis on Wednesday in Tanzania. Over 50,000 Burundians have fled into neighbouring nations since the unrest began.

"The presidents should be clear with Nkurunziza... they must tell him to leave for the good of everybody," said Aremus, a 24-year old protester.

"The summit tomorrow is a test... the heads of state must show their maturity in crisis management by telling Nkurunziza to leave," said Donatien, a man on one of the street barricades.

- 'Many violence, many problems' -

The clashes between security forces and demonstrators have raised fears of a return to violence in the central African state, which is still recovering from a brutal 13-year civil war that ended in 2006.

The European Union and United States called Monday for the elections set for late June to be delayed.

African Union Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma last week warned the time was not right for elections, and that it was "clear that there shouldn't be a third term."

But Nkurunziza said in a BBC interview that postponing the vote would worsen the situation.

"I can tell you that for enduring stability in Burundi you can't say that you can't organise elections," Nkurunziza said. "There would be many violence and many problems."

In Bujumbura's Musaga district, some 300 women marched singing and chanting slogans against a third term.

"No to the third term for Nkurunziza," one group shouted.

Opposition groups insist that it is unconstitutional for Nkurunziza to run for more than two terms.

But he argues that his first presidential term did not count as he was elected by parliament, not directly by the people.

Asked to rule on the issue, the constitutional court found in his favour but not before one of the judges fled the country claiming its members were subject to death threats.

"Today we are optimistic that the elections will be very peaceful, transparent and also fair," Nkurunziza said. "We can assure (you) that we will accept the outcome of the ballot box."

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