'I won't run for a 4th term - Burundi president says

onnaedo

May 7, 2015 11:58 AM

Burundi has been locked in deadly protests which has so far killed 1 person and injured 13 others over Nkurunziza's re-election bid.

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In the wake of deadly protests in Burundi over president Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for a 3rd term, the former rebel leader has said that he won't run for a 4th term.

He has, however called for an immediate end to the protests so that elections could be held peacefully in June.

On Monday, Burundi's constitutional court ruled that Nkurunziza can run for a third term, amidst reports that the court's vice-president, Sylvere Nimpagaritse, had fled Burundi, saying the court had been under pressure to endorse president Nkurunziza's re-election bid.

Under the constitution, presidents can only be elected to 2 terms in office but it was argued that his first term does not count as he was appointed by parliament.

Nkurunziza, who is a former rebel leader, has ruled the country since 2005, after coming into power at the end of the 12-year civil war in the country. Despite protests, he has remained adamant about returning to power and has also rejected pressure from the United States to step down.

Currently, foreign ministers from 4 East African states are currently in Burundi in at attempt to end the crisis, even as the UN refugee agency says that over 20,000 people have left for neighbouring countries for fear of escalating violence in Burundi.

onnaedo