Rights groups sue Pierre Nkurunziza over third term bid
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza. The East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum on July 13, 2015 sued the Burundi government at the East Africa Court of Justice over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term. FILE PHOTO |
An umbrella body of civil societies in East Africa have sued the Burundi government at the East Africa Court of Justice over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term.
The East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum and a group of Burundian lawyers argued that President Nkurunziza’s bid is unconstitutional and a violation of the 2000 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, which brought an end to years of civil strife in Burundi.
“The president's desire for unlawful third term will destroy the Arusha Peace Accord, bring instability in the Republic of Burundi, endanger regional peace and peaceful co-existence as one of the objectives of the East Africa Community,” said their layer Donald Omondi Deya.
SUPPORTED APPLICATION
East Africa Law Society vice president and a member of Burundi Bar Association Mr Dieudonne Bashirahishize supported the application through an affidavit, stating that the situation in Burundi is worsening every day and needs urgent intervention.
“If the situation in Burundi continues without intervention, the country will revert to the pre-Arusha peace agreement days with a possibility of the unrest spilling into Burundi’s neighbouring countries,” said Bashirahishize.
The case has been certified urgent by the EACJ Judges and set for hearing tomorrow in Arusha, Tanzania.
