Fourth-term bid in Burundi feared
THE INTERNATIONAL community is concerned that reported attempts by President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a fourth term in office could further destabilise Burundi.
The concern comes as the political crisis in the East African country continues to deepen amid serious human rights violations, torture, mass displacements of people and economic degradation.
Jamal Benomar, special adviser for conflict prevention to the UN secretary-general, noted Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term had triggered the most severe crisis since Burundi’s emergence from civil war more than a decade ago.
However, Albert Shingiro, Burundi’s representative in the UN, denied that Nkurunziza was aiming for another term. “The mention of a fourth mandate is typical of the double standards used against Burundi since 2015.”
No progress had been made in implementation of UN resolution 2303 , and Burundi’s relations with the international community had deteriorated since its adoption, Benomar said, citing Burundi’s refusal to allow deployment of UN police for enhanced human rights monitoring.
Almost 390 000 Burundians have fled the country since the start of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Burundian army yesterday denied hosting armed groups that attack neighbouring countries, responding to a report on the killing of two Rwandans early on Sunday by an armed group that allegedly retreated into Burundi.
“No armed group was yesterday seen crossing the common border between Burundi and Rwanda,” said Burundian Army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza.
He said Burundi would never hide criminals that committed crimes in neighbouring countries.