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Pierre Nkurunziza

Pierre Nkurunziza19 posts
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6 Aug, 2015

Zuma says persuasion limited

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In response to a question from the Inkatha Freedom Party, who cites Burundi as an example, Zuma says he tried to dissuade Nkurunziza from seeking a third term but hit a wall when his pleas were ignored.

Many of us interacted to say that might not help the country. We cannot say there was no effort to solve that African problem. I sent an envoy. He said it is not going to cause trouble, he has taken a decision and the constitution is on his side. Once you have reached that stage… when an African leader is not interested, that becomes difficult…No military men can take over as they please. There are a few exceptions. Burundi, where even its own regions could not persuade it … but even there the man is not saying he is going to stay forever… he has argued the point through the constitution and the court has supported him. We can’t force people, we have to talk to them, nudge them.

He says leaders have to respect the sovereignty of other African nations while they try to resolve problems.

It does not mean we will solve all matters at the right time…we are not going to ride roughshod over constitutions.

28 Jun, 2015

Flees country

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Ntavyohanyuma, the head of Burundi’s parliament, says he has fled the country for Belgium due to violence

For the moment, I am forced to stay in Brussels… I stayed here given the difficulties in my country, difficulties which are due to the illegal third mandate of the president. On the eve of the election … I would like to say to him (Nkurunziza) that the mandate he wants to have is illegal. I would like to say to him that forcing through the election is senseless

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.