Bujumbura, Burundi--Protest-hit Burundi on Wednesday took the controversial question of President Pierre Nkurunziza's third term bid to the constitutional court but opposition supporters dismissed the move and said demonstrations would go on.
At least five people have died since unrest broke out at the weekend, when the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated Nkurunziza its candidate for the presidential election to be held in the central African nation on June 26.
Demonstrators and police faced off in the capital Bujumbura Wednesday, but the city was far quieter than in previous days, with some shops reopening and a heavy police deployment on the streets.
The authorities cut mobile access to several social networks and messaging applications including Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp, which have been used to coordinate protests.
"All the roads are blocked by police... but the protests will not stop until he gives up the third term," said Thierry, a demonstrator.
Opposition figures and rights groups say Nkurunziza's attempt to stand for a third consecutive term goes against the constitution as well as the peace deal that ended a civil war in 2006.
The Senate has submitted a motion has to the constitutional court seeking interpretation of the issue.
But opposition leaders such as lawmaker Jean Minani were dismissive of what they said was a court loyal to the president.
"It is as if the Senate had asked Nkurunziza himself to interpret the constitution," Minani told AFP. "The opposition... will continue to say no to the third term."
But Nkurunziza has remained defiant: his communication chief has insisted it was "out of the question" that he would back down on his bid for a third term.
AFP
