Chaos in Burundi after President Nkurunziza declared poll candidate

Protestors throw stones in Bunjumbura, Burundi when chaos erupted Sunday after President Pierre Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a controversial third term in coming elections. PHOTO | MWENDA MICHENI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

BUJUMBURA

Police in the central African nation of Burundi on Sunday clashed with small groups of protestors, witnesses said, the day after the president was declared as candidate for a controversial third term.

An AFP correspondent said there were small demonstrations in several parts of the capital despite a government ban, with at least one outbreak of stone-throwing and anti-riot police beating back around 100 protestors trying to reach the city centre.

In the Cibitoke area, AFP reporters said protestors pelted police with stones after they arrested a demonstrator.

"We threw stones to try and free our friend. This is a peaceful protest, we were only singing and they charged," said one of the protestors, who did not give his name.

At least two police officers were wounded and two youths arrested, while police fired live bullets in the air in a bid to disperse the crowd.

Witnesses reported similar small-scale clashes in two other districts of the capital.

Organised by the civil society, the peaceful demonstrations came a day after the leader was handed the ruling coalition’s ticket to vie for a third term, a move that has been described as unconstitutional by his critics.

“We are going on the streets today (Sunday) and tomorrow on Monday on a peaceful demonstration against Nkurunziza’s move to undermine the Arusha agreement that brought peace in Burundi,” said Vital Nshimirimana the chairman of Civil Society Organisation Forum (FORSC).

Following the Sunday protests, Bujumbura came to a standstill with hundreds of protesters trying to make their way to the Independence Square, in central Bujumbura.

Anti-riot police threw tear gas canisters to the crowd and fired warning shots as protesters pelted them with stones.

Car tyres could be seen burning on the main roads leading to the capital Bujumbura.