Six killed in protests against Burundi president’s third term

BUJUMBURA: At least six people were killed in clashes between police and civilians demonstrating against the Burundian president’s bid for a third term, a spokesman for the Burundi Red Cross said yesterday, as hundreds continued to protest in the capital despite a heavy army presence.

Three people were killed in clashes with the police on Sunday and three others died of their injuries overnight, Alexis Manirakiza told the associated Press by phone from Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital.

Seven more people had been wounded, he said.

Security forces were using tear gas, water cannon and gun shot to break up gatherings, said Carina Tertsakian, a Rwanda researcher for Human Rights Watch. The military had prevented protesters from getting to the city centre.

The independent radio station known as RPA was closed yesterday, she said.

A rights activist had been arrested and “roughed up,” said Tertsakian.

Bujumbura has been hit by protests since Sunday after the ruling party nominated President Pierre Nkurunziza for another term, which many say is unconstitutional.

Hundreds of demonstrators erected barricades and set tyres alight yesterday. The military was deployed after violent clashes on Sunday.

Presidential elections are scheduled for June 26 and political tensions have been rising since January.

“I will stop coming to the road when the president says he has abandoned (the third term bid),” said demonstrator Flaurice Nkurunzinza.

More than 250 000 people died in Burundi’s civil war between Hutu rebels and a Tutsi-dominated army. The war ended in 2003.

Those who oppose Nkurunziza, an ethnic Hutu, running for a third term include members of his own party, lawmakers, the clergy, student groups and civil society.

More than 20 000 Burundi- ans have fled to neighbouring Rwanda, alleging pressure to support Nkurunziza’s party and violence by the party’s youth wing, known as Imbonerakure. Another 4 000 Burundians were sheltering in Congo, according to the UN refugee agency.

Human Rights Watch has accused the Imbonerakure of committing serious rights abuses. – AP