Photo Credit: UN Refugee Agency

Thousands have fled Burundi due to insecurity fears in the run-up leading to the 26^th June elections; most noteworthy of these being Judge Sylvere Nimpagaritse, the vice-president of Burundi’s constitutional court who noted that most of the judges had faced “enormous pressure and even death threats”.

At least 18 people have died and 100s injured in clashes resulting in the President’s announcement of a third term bid. In the latest news from Burundi, an “immediate and unconditional” government order to end protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term bid has met resistance. 2,000 people marched through one of the suburbs of the capital Bujumbura today.

The UN Refugee Agency noted 50,000 Burundians fled the country. UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalists in Geneva that pre-election violence sent tens of thousands fleeing to neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) “Many of these have crossed into Rwanda (25,004), but over the last week we have also seen a sharp increase in people seeking asylum in Tanzania (17,696) after entry restrictions there were lifted. In addition, almost 8,000 people have crossed into South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In all these cases women and children, including a large number of unaccompanied children, are in the majority,” Edwards said.

East African leaders are set to hold a summit in Tanzania to discuss the Burundi situation. Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who chairs the EAC, said in a statement late on Saturday “We have agreed to meet … to discuss how to help our brothers and sisters in Burundi to hold successful elections and ensure that their nation is united, peaceful and secure without any unnecessary conflicts”.

The post Thousands continue to flee Burundi first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

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.

The post Burundi’s CNDD-FDD ruling party nominates President Pierre Nkurunziza for third term – Tensions rise first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.