Violence in Burundi leaves one dead as country protests president's 3rd term bid

Burundi's president Pierre Nkurunziza is running for a third term which he promises will be his last but citizens don't want to hear any of it. There have been demonstrations in the country for almost 2 weeks now, but it turned deadly this morning after one person was shot dead by police and 3 others seriously injured. The police reportedly used live ammunition to disperse protesters, killing one. 13 people have so far died since April 26th, the day demonstrations began following Pres. Nkurunziza announcement that he would seek re-election.

The fight is happening in Burundi's capital Bujumbura between the president's supporters and people who want him out. Many protesters have also been arrested and are being held by government forces.

Burundi's constitutional court on Tuesday May 5th ruled that the president can run for a third term if he wants, that he wasn't violating the constitution's two-term limit, saying "renewal of the presidential term through direct universal suffrage" is permitted. This didn't go down well with the opponents who say it violates their constitution. 

 

Burundi's election will hold on June 26th and citizens say they want another president. 

 

Over 25,000 Burundians have fled the country to neigbouring countries following the violent protests. They say they are afraid there might be another civil war in the country. The last one ended in 2006 after 13 years.