Sunday, April 26, 2015

Burundi clashes after President Nkurunziza seeks third term




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Protests in the Burundian capital Bujumbura
Protesters threw stones and burnt tires
Protesters have clashed with police in Burundi a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza was controversially announced as a candidate for a third term in office.
Hundreds defied a ban on demonstrations to take to the streets of the capital Bujumbura.
The protesters threw stones at police who responded with tear gas.
President Nkurunziza was nominated by his governing CNDD-FDD party, a move opponents say is unconstitutional.
They warn it threatens a peace deal that ended the country's 12-year civil war in 2005, which killed more than 300,000 people.
More than 8,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries in recent weeks citing violence ahead of June's presidential election, the UN refugee agency says.
Police block streets in the capital Bujumbura
Police blocked streets in Bujumbura
Burundi"s President Pierre Nkurunziza addresses delegates of the ruling Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie - Forces pour Defense de la Democratie (CNDD-FDD) party during their congress in the capital Bujumbura, April 25, 2015
It comes after President Nkurunziza confirmed he would seek a third term
Sunday's protests are the latest against Mr Nkurunziza's bid for another term.
Police blocked off roads leading to the centre of Bujumbura, with tense stand-offs developing, the BBC's Maud Jullien reported.
At his nomination by a special party congress, the president said: "I call people to go to the election in peace.
"But I would like to warn everyone: Whoever wants to create problems with the ruling party elected by the people, he'll find himself in trouble," he added, Reuters reported.
Mr Nkurunziza has served two terms as president, coming to the office at the end of the civil war.
Burundi's constitution only allows the president to be elected twice. But Mr Nkurunziza's supporters argue he is eligible for another term since he was appointed by parliament in 2005.

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