‘Burundians want term limits removed’

BUJUMBURA: Burundi could scrap presidential term limits from its constitution after a commission set up to hear public views on governance said most citizens wanted no curbs on the number of times the head of state may seek re-election.

The central African nation has been gripped by violence for more than a year, triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term.

Opponents said the decision, taken in April last year, violated the constitution, which currently limits presidential tenure to two five-year terms.

Justin Nzoyisaba, chairman of CNDI, a commission set up by Nkurunziza last year to canvass public opinion on Burundi’s political system, said on Wednesday most Burundians wanted term limits abolished.

The majority of the people the commission met “want the president to exercise more than two terms,” he said.

“People said they have to erase the term limits; it means that the president can run for any time he wants.”

The commission is expected to send its report to Nkurunziza, who will then send to it parliament for debate and possibly begin a process to amend the constitution.

Critics also said Nkurunziza’s third term bid violated the terms of a 2005 peace deal that ended a previous rebellion.

Burundi would be the latest in a growing list of African countries where term limits have been abolished or manoeuvres are under way as most incumbents appear unwilling to cede power after their terms approach their end. – Reuters