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17 Apr, 2015

Police teargas protesters

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2015-04-18T015301Z_1_LYNXMPEB3H00J_RTROPTP_4_BURUNDI-POLITICSBurundian police fire tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters opposed to the president running for a third term. Protesters take shelter in shops or buildings before regrouping. Some hurl stones at police. Rain helps disperse them. Opposition groups spokesperson:

The police used brutality to disperse peaceful protesters, but this will not discourage us. We will continue the struggle

A presidential spokesman says the protests have no justification when the ruling party has not announced its candidate.

How can you protest against something that has not happened? The president has not announced that he will run for a third term.

USA concerned

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The United States is deeply concerned by the rising tensions in Burundi in advance of general elections, calling on all parties in Burundi to play a constructive and peaceful role in the electoral process and to refrain from any acts, including hate speech, violence, or other provocations, that could feed the climate of fear and instability. The U.S. will continue to monitor the situation in Burundi closely and take steps, including, where appropriate, by denying U.S. visas to individuals who order, plan, or participate in acts of violence

We call on the national police, the Burundian military, and all security force personnel to provide security in an impartial manner throughout the electoral process and to protect civilians from intimidation and other abuses.

24 Apr, 2015

Bans protest

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Burundi’s government announces a nationwide ban on demonstrations following threats by the opposition and activists to step up protests against controversial plans by the president to seek re-election.

The government forbids any demonstration for whatever reason anywhere in the country.

25 Apr, 2015

US ‘regrets missed opportunity’

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The United States condemns President Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office, warning that the central African country is losing an historic opportunity to strengthen its democracy. State Department:

We regret this significant missed opportunity, but the hard work of building democratic practices and institutions must continue…In that spirit, we urge all parties to participate in the legislative and national elections and ensure these electoral processes are inclusive, transparent, credible, free and conducted in an environment without threats, intimidation, or violence…We specifically call on the Burundian government to respect the rights of all peaceful political parties and their candidates to campaign, hold meetings and rallies and express their views…The United States will continue to monitor the situation in Burundi closely and take targeted measures, including, where appropriate, by denying US visas, to hold accountable those individuals who participate in, plan, or order violence against the civilian population…Violence has no place in democratic elections, and perpetrators of such violence will not be welcome to travel to the United States and risk being held accountable in a court of law for any crimes for which they are responsible.

26 Apr, 2015

Protests over third term

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3500There are clashes between hundreds of protesters and armed police in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura over the nomination of President Nkurunziza to run for a third term, despite a constitution that stipulates the president can only serve for two terms. Nkurunziza’s party says he is eligible for another term as popularly elected president. The president’s backers argue that his first term should not count since he was picked by lawmakers rather than voted in. US State Department:

With this decision, Burundi is losing an historic opportunity to strengthen its democracy by establishing a tradition of peaceful democratic transition.

28 Apr, 2015

5,000 flee to Rwanda

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More than 5,000 Burundians flee to Rwanda over the weekend bringing the total number of arrivals to nearly 21,000. The Rwandan government expects the number of Burundians arriving in the country to rise to 50,000. Most of the arrivals in Rwanda are women and children, adding that the refugees report facing intimidation and threats of violence linked to upcoming elections.  Rwanda, which is already hosting more than 74,000 refugees mainly from neighbouring DR Congo, has allocated land in Mahama in the Eastern Province for a new refugee camp, with the capacity to hold up to 50,000 people. UN agencies:

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Burundian refugees arriving in Rwanda…Five thousand people entering the country in two days is quite a significant jump… It is certainly concerning…The situation is quite chaotic at the moment…We think that this violence might continue and this fear of violence might continue and that there might be a bigger outflux, particularly to Rwanda.

Another 3,800 Burundians have fled to the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of July.

29 Apr, 2015

President blocks social media

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The government of Burundi blocks mobile access to social media sites –including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Tango — in an effort to crack down on protesters use the messaging services on the sites to coordinate demonstrations over President Nkurunziza’s re-election efforts. Nkurunziza also cuts Burundian phone lines and nonstate media and ban protests. Human Rights Watch:

Government restrictions on communications not only violate basic media freedom but deprive many Burundians of the right to information about events that affect them directly…These radio stations in Burundi are doing their job by covering the news…The Burundian authorities should respect people’s right to demonstrate peacefully.

Sent to Burundi

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Malinowski heads to Burundi seeking to halt escalating unrest triggered by President Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office. Protesters say Nkurunziza’s plan to run again threatens the Arusha peace deal. Malinowski:

On my way to Burundi. Disappointed President Nkurunziza violating Arusha Accord.

US appeals to leaders

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The US appeals for African leaders to desist from changing constitutions to ensure them more than two presidential terms. During a discussion on Burundi’s upcoming election, Deputy Assistant Secretary Gilmour reminds African governments that are part of the Arusha agreements of the commitments they made. This includes presidential terms limited to two years.

It is not a good idea to violate the agreed upon commitments to the Arusha-agreement. I’m calling on Burundi to proceed peacefully and we are hoping for a free and fair election.

30 Apr, 2015

Students expelled

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1202388_996877Authorities in Burundi close university accommodation and force thousands of students to leave the campus in an operation apparently designed to halt a wave of protests. Large numbers of students, many of whom come from rural areas, are seen evacuating the University of Burundi, in the capital Bujumbura.

7 May, 2015

Man burned alive

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Soldiers stand near a burning barricade during demonstrations by protesters against the ruling CNDD-FDD party's decision to allow Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third five-year term in office, in Bujumbura, May 7, 2015. REUTERS/Jean Pierre Aime HarerimanaProtesters burn a man alive in Burundi’s capital, saying he’s a member of the Imbonerakure youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, which attacked them during their rallies. The government dismisses charges that Imbonerakure is fomenting violence. Witness:

They put tyres around his neck and then burned him

8 May, 2015

Launches re-election bid

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_82873764_82873758Nkurunziza launches his third-term bid in the capital Bujumbura, defying criticism from the African Union (AU) and the US. He denies suggestions that violence is spiralling out of control. The president compares his country’s situation with Nigeria, where he says polls had gone ahead despite there being no security because of the insurgency by Boko Haram Islamist militants.

Burundians have no problem with elections…because 99% of the country is peaceful…These demonstrations have turned into insurrection, but it is something that will be controlled… and I assure you that the elections will go well.

Opposition calls EU to suspend funds

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Burundian opposition leaders call for the EU to suspend €8m of financial assistance and to demand that the government postpone the election. The EU is the main financial contributor to the Project to Support the 2015 Electoral Cycle in Burundi. Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC-IKIBIRI) spokesperson:

We believe the EU’s €8m is a considerable sum. It is shocking that the EU is financing these elections which are killing people, forcing voters of the opposition to flee the country like refugees…It would be unacceptable for the European taxpayer to agree that €8m, which can be used for something else, should be thrown in the trash like that. If these elections are forced to happen, there will be a civil war…Radios have been closed, human rights activists have been imprisoned and these prisoners are refused food and care, are being tortured to the indifference of the international community. The violation of these values ​​must be unacceptable for Europeans partners.

11 May, 2015

Belgium suspends aid

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Belgium suspends aid to Burundi, the first country to pull funds due to violent clashes in the African country, after concluding that current conditions do not allow election candidates to campaign. Belgium had pledged four million euros to assist with the organisation of the forthcoming elections — of which a 50 percent tranche has already been paid. The country will also pull out of a five million euro police cooperation deal, which it has in place jointly with the Netherlands. Belgian minister:

In the current circumstances the payment of the remaining two million can only be put on hold.

13 May, 2015

Posts coup failed

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Nkurunziza’s office posts on the president’s Twitter and Facebook accounts:

A group of soldiers mutinied this morning and made a fantasy declaration of a coup d’etat. This attempted coup was foiled and these people … are sought by defense and security forces so they are brought to justice.

14 May, 2015

US issues advisory

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The United States issues a travel warning for Burundi, telling its citizens not to go there and urging those in the country to get out as soon as possible. It says it orders all non-emergency US government personnel and dependents of American staff to leave Burundi.

US citizens should shelter in place until it is safe to move about, ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date, and confirm that air and land borders are open before attempting to depart the country.

15 May, 2015

Coup attempt foiled

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Loyalist police and army officers crush an attempted coup in Burundi. The announcement follows two days of confusion over who controls the country. Despite the official declaration that the overthrow plot has been defeated, it us by no means clear that stability will return to Burundi. United Nations officials express fears about retribution and further violence. Niyombare’s whereabouts remain unclear. Nkurunziza:

I would like to thank the army and the police for defeating the wrongdoers. There is peace in the country, including the capital city, where those coup plotters were operating.

16 May, 2015

Generals arrested

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Three army generals and two police generals are arrested for plotting a failed coup attempt against Nkurunziza, along with three lower-ranking officers and eight soldiers. One of the generals arrested is a former defense minister. Gen. Niyombare, is in hiding and has not yet been arrested.

17 May, 2015

US helps evacuate foreigners

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The United States helps evacuate American, Canadian and other foreign citizens from Burundi, saying it has assisted more than two dozen people to leave on planes to Rwanda. All US nationals that request evacuation are able to leave Burundi, and that Washington routinely provides such assistance to foreign citizens on a space-available basis. State Department:

In addition to approximately 20 US citizens on the three commercial charter flights that went out on May 17 to Kigali, the US helped four Canadian citizens as well as other foreign citizens,..The security situation remains fluid and volatile because of militia, military and security forces activity in Bujumbura. There may be increased political tensions and civil disturbances related to these actions.