Police fire on protesters after President seeks illegitimate third term

A peaceful election in the tiny east African nation of Burundi, where the Catholic Church wields considerable influence, is threatened by the decision of President Pierre Nkurunziza to violate the country’s constitution by seeking a third term, writes  Fredrick Nzwili.

At least five people have died so far in protests ahead of the 26 June election. Last month, Archbishop Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura, the country’s capital, broke the Church’s silence. “All the provisions of the constitution are very clear: no president can lead the country for more than two terms of five years each,” he said. But last Saturday the ruling CNDD-FDD party nominated Mr Nkurunziza for a third term. The party argued he is eligible since he was chosen by parliament in the first term.

The country, where up to 70 per cent of the 10 million population are Catholic, has enjoyed a fragile peace since emerging from a civil war in 2005, but the announcement  sparked unrest. “The police are using live bullets to quell demonstrations,” said Musa Idi, speaking from the Caritas Burundi offices. “Everything has been shut down, including banks. People are getting hungry and I fear this is how war starts,” he told The Tablet.