Burundi President Registers To Run For Third Term As Clashes Erupt

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza speaks to the media after he registered to run for a third five-year term in office, in the capital Bujumbura, May 8, 2015. REUTERS/Jean Pierre Aime Harerimana

Burundi’s president registered on Friday to run for a third term, stoking anger among protesters opposing his bid for another five years in office. Read more from Reuters:

Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in the Nyakabiga district of Bujumbura on Friday evening, saying Pierre Nkurunziza’s plan to run again violates the constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically-charged civil war in 2005.

Protesters earlier blocked roads and hurled stones at police, who fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds. Protesters say police have used live rounds but police deny shooting. Burundi’s constitutional court ruled this week Nkurunziza could stand, saying his first term did not count because he was picked by parliament rather than elected by the people.
Opponents say the court is biased and have vowed to keep protesting until he withdraws from the race. They have called for the election to be delayed due to the unrest. “For me, the electoral schedule has to be respected,” the former Hutu rebel leader-turned-president said after registering at the election commission.
“I would like to say that 99 percent of Burundi is in peace, demonstrations are just happening in a small part of Bujumbura.”