Burundi Police Detain Opponents, Suspend Radio Transmissions

Burundian authorities on Monday detained several protest leaders and suspended transmission of several local radio channels following protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, activists and police sources have said.



Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, president of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detainees, a local NGO, was reportedly detained in capital Bujumbura.



"Mbonimpa was detained while being hosted by a local radio program," Alexandre Niyungeko, president of Burundi's Journalists Union, told The Anadolu Agency.



Police Commissioner Betin Gahungu confirmed that several civil society leaders had been detained, including Pacifique Nininahazwe, president of the Forum for Conscience and Development.



Meanwhile, Burundian forces suspended transmission of several local radio stations.



"The government is denying citizens the right to get information," Patrick Nduwimana, director of the Bonesha FM radio station, which is currently suspended, said.



Transmission of the public African radio station has also been suspended.



Since Sunday, Burundi has been shaken by street protests against Nkurunziza's planned bid for a third term as president.



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



Despite parliament's rejection of the proposal, the bill, according to the country's laws, can still be brought before the assembly for a second vote, giving Nkurunziza another chance to ratify the amendment.



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