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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

17 Apr, 2015

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.

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.