2 Burundians Killed İn Protests

Two protesters were killed Sunday in clashes with Burundian police in capital Bujumbura during demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza's candidacy for a third term, according to eyewitnesses.



A protester was killed after sustaining a gunshot wound from live ammunition fired by a policeman in Musaga district in southern Bujumbura, eyewitnesses told The Anadolu Agency.



Meanwhile, in Mutakura neighborhood of Bujumbura, a second protester was killed and another was injured during clashes with police forces, witnesses added.



The demonstrators were trying to move towards the center of the capital from the surrounding municipalities of Musaga, Nyakabiga, Mutakura and Cibitoke.



Vital Nshimirimana, a leader of the "Stop the third term" movement, told AA that the call to protest was "well attended."



"The peaceful protest movement will be intensified in the early afternoon at the end of Sunday prayers," Nshimirimana said, adding that "police troops should contain the protesters instead of opening fire on them."



On Saturday, the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy fielded President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for the upcoming presidential elections slated for June.



Pacifique Nininahazwe, a leading Burundian civil society figure, told AA that as soon as Nkurunziza announces his candidacy, "we will hit the streets in protest."



On March 20, Nkurunziza proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow him to run for third presidential term, sparking a major controversy in the central African nation.



Despite the rejection of the proposal by the Burundian parliament, the law stipulates that a bill could be brought once again before parliament for a second round of voting, which gives Nkurunziza another opportunity to pass the amendment before the upcoming elections.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Bujumbura