adminBUJUMBURA — Burundi Presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed in Burundi, an official said yesterday, following weeks of unrest in the capital over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office.Presidential advisor for media and information Willy Nyamitwe said officials are waiting for a proposal from the electoral commission on the new dates for elections. Parliamentary elections were scheduled for today while presidential polls were slated for June 26.
Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, has been rocked by weeks of protests following the April 25 announcement of Mr. Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office. At least 20 people have died in street battles with police. The protests gave rise to an attempted coup in mid-May which was crushed in 48 hours.
Regional bloc East African Community on Sunday asked the Burundian government to postpone elections for at least 45 days and to use the time to ensure that there is a conducive environment to hold the polls.
More than 90,000 Burundians have fled the country fearing violence. Burundi has had a long history of political upheaval that has been characterised by political assassinations and coups. — AFP.
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