Gashora, Rwanda--Exhausted and terrified, the refugees from Burundi keep coming, with tens of thousands fleeing political violence and targeted attacks by the ruling party's youth wing militia.
Some refugees say they are running from the Imbonerakure, a fearsome group whose name means "The Watchmen" or, literally, "Those Who See Far".
The militia acts in support of President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose bid for a third term has triggered weeks of sometimes violent protests in the capital Bujumbura.
Among those who have sought safety in neighbouring Rwanda are people who described gangs of thugs going house to house, daubing doors of suspected opposition supporters with red paint as a grim warning of attacks to come.
"The Imbonerakure came to our neighbourhood to say that those who were against the third term of President Nkurunziza were going to die, that's why I left," said Eric Ahishakiye, a 23-year old mechanic.
Burundi, where a 13-year civil war between ethnic Tutsis and Hutus ended in 2006, has been rocked by violent protests since the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated Nkurunziza as its candidate in elections due next month.
Critics say a third term for Nkurunziza runs counter to both the constitution and the Arusha accords that ended the war.
At least 19 people have been killed and scores wounded since late April.
AFP
