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Bujumbura — Burundi’s president yesterday endorsed a new election timetable, hours after the United Nations warned increasing violence committed by pro-government militia could push the country into a civil war.
President Pierre Nkurunziza approved presidential elections for July 15, followed by senatorial elections on July 24, as proposed by the electoral commission and a group of ministers on Tuesday.
Nkurunziza, however, pushed back the proposed date for parliamentary and local government elections to June 29 – three days later than the commission’s proposal, according to presidential spokesperson Willy Nyamitwe.
The proposal comes after the East African Community recommended the delay of elections because of weeks of anti-government protests and a failed coup attempt.
Burundi’s opposition rejected the new dates, saying the elections commission was not capable of functioning properly because two of five commissioners resigned last week.
Refugees in neighbouring countries meanwhile reported that the pro-government Imbonerakure movement has committed crimes – including executions, abductions and torture, which “could tip an already extremely tense situation over the edge,” warned UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
Human rights activists say more than 30 people have been killed in nationwide protests which started on April 26. Demonstrators say Nkurunziza’s bid to seek a third term violates the constitution.
Former intelligence chief, major general Godefroid Niyombare, attempted to seize power in Burundi in May after Nkurunziza announced his candidacy, but the plot failed a few days later.
Meanwhile, civic groups in Burundi on Tuesday rejected a UN facilitator of talks between the government and those opposed to a third term for Nkurunziza, saying they feel he backs the president.
Several civic groups have written a joint letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressing opposition to the role of Algerian diplomat Said Djinnit, according to Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a leading rights activist.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Ban continues “to fully stand behind” Djinnit, who arrived back in Bujumbura on Tuesday and will attend the African Union summit later this week for talks with political leaders.
He said the UN has heard the opposition and others, and its message to the Burundian parties is to “rise above” their own interests and think of the national interests and the need to end the crisis.
Willy Nyamitwe, a presidential spokesperson, said on Tuesday the rejection of Djinnit is evidence of the opposition’s “lack of maturity”.
Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the UN human rights chief, said on Tuesday the Imbonerakure’s actions “could tip an already extremely tense situation over the edge”.
He said his office has received “consistent testimonies” indicating that Imbonerakure members operate under instructions from the ruling party and with weapons, vehicles and sometimes uniforms provided by police and intelligence services.
Zeid said Burundian authorities must “show their commitment to peace by clearly disassociating themselves from their violent supporters” and ensure they are accountable for any crimes. – AFP
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