10 years after the end of a civil war that lasted 12 years, tensions are rising again in the East African Republic of Burundi. This comes as a result of the Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza declaring, Saturday 25th, his candidancy in a third term bid for the presidential seat that is said to be at best controversial and at worst unconstitutional. Pascal Nyabenda , head of the ruling CNDD-FDD party stated today after a party congress meeting “We wish to announce to the national and international community that the member who has been selected to represent us in the elections is Pierre Nkurunziza,”.
Opposition has promised to challenge the June 26 presidential elections with protests. This comes in the wake of statements by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at the press briefing, on 17 April 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva where he noted that there was a growing number of Burundians fleeing the pre-election violence. He said ‘Pre-election violence and intimidation in Burundi has triggered a recent rise in the numbers of people seeking asylum in neighbouring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In all, more than 8,000 Burundians have sought refuge in these two countries over the past two weeks, 7,099 in Rwanda and the rest in Democratic Republic of the Congo… Mounting violence and insecurity are being cited as the reason for fleeing. The Burundians have reported harassment, and disappearance of family members who were associated with the political opposition. People also speak of alleged forced recruitment by the Imbonerakure militant youth group, which has been accused of politically motivated violence.’.
Just one week ago police in Burundi fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters in the capital, Bujumbura who were calling for President Pierre Nkurunziza not to run for a third term chanting ‘we wont let him run again’.
Burundi’s constitution has a two term policy of 5 years each term and this is stated in Article 96 of the constitution which reads ‘The President of the Republic is elected by universal direct suffrage for a mandate of five years renewable one time.’ Local and international media are keeping watch on the situation to see how it unfolds.