Burundi police teargas protesters opposing presidential third term

Burundian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Friday at hundreds of protesters opposed to the president running for a third term, a further sign of tension in a nation that emerged from civil war a decade ago, euronews reported.

Supporters have urged President Pierre Nkurunziza to stand again in June’s election, although he has not commented on his intentions. Opponents say such a move would violate the constitution, and even some ruling party officials have asked him not to run.
Protesters took shelter in shops or buildings before regrouping. Some hurled stones at police. Rain later helped disperse them.

Opposition parties are discussing uniting behind a single candidate to improve their chances of defeating Nkurunziza, who took office in 2005 after 12 years of civil conflict. He has served two terms.

The constitution and the peace deal that ended that war both stipulate no one should be president for longer than 10 years.

The president’s backers argue that his first term should not count since he was picked by lawmakers rather than voted in.

Last year, mass protests in the West African state of Burkina Faso drove out longtime president Blaise Compaore when he sought to revise the constitution to seek another term.

There have been growing regional and international calls for Nkurunziza to steer Burundi clear of a crisis. The United States has urged African leaders to respect constitutional limits.