Bujumbura, Burundi--Protesters in Burundi clashed again with police Tuesday just three days ahead of parliamentary elections after a month of demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a controversial third term.
Police fired live rounds and tear gas to break up groups of demonstrators trying to gather in the three hotspot neighbourhoods of Cibitoke, Musaga and Nyakabiga in the capital Bujumbura.
As protesters took to the streets for the 38th day, the US weighed in to call on Nkurunziza to delay the presidential poll, warning that it "seriously undermines Burundi's stability".
"The conditions for free, fair, transparent and credible elections do not currently exist," a statement released by the US embassy in Bujumbura said.
Although the government said it would push ahead with the polls, opposition groups insisted the momentum was with them.
"Five months ago, no one could have imagined a movement of this magnitude in Burundi," said protest leader Pacifique Nininahazwe.
"The main objective of non-violent resistance is to wear out the authorities, to make them understand that this situation is unsustainable if they don't listen," he added, calling for "even more acts of civil disobedience."
"We cannot stop now. If we keep going, Nkurunziza will be in pieces in a month and a half from now."
Nkurunziza hopes to win a third term in elections due on June 26, but opponents say his candidacy is unconstitutional and goes against the 2006 Arusha peace deal that ended 13 years of civil war.
After meeting for a Burundi crisis summit at the weekend, regional heads of state added their voices to those calling for a delay, suggesting that the poll be postponed until mid-July.
Burundi's electoral commission is considering whether to hold the vote on schedule.
More than 30 people have died in the protests that began when Nkurunziza announced in late April that he would stand for re-election after Burundi's constitutional court gave him the green light.
AFP
