EU suspends observation of elections in Burundi

The European Union (EU) said Friday it has suspended the observation of elections in Burundi, saying there is lack of minimum conditions for credible elections.

"The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) notes that at the current time, conditions in Burundi do not allow for the holding of credible elections," said David Martin, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), in a press release.

According to Martin, conditions have "significantly deteriorated" since the mission's arrival.

He raised some factors showing that Burundi cannot hold credible elections.

According to him, those factors include a "widespread" atmosphere of fear and intimidation exacerbated by extremely volatile insecurity.

"The assassination of opposition leader Zedi Feruzi is particular example of political violence," Martin said.

The mission has observed that a "genuine" electoral campaign has not been possible for all candidates.

"Only a few parties of the have been able to carry out visible campaign events, namely the ruling party (the CNDD-FDD), the UPRONA, while opposition parties have not engaged in substantial campaign activities, due to the lack of security conditions and the prevailing climate of intimidation," said Martin.

He also regretted that media companies are no longer operational.

"Based on all those factors, we have decided to suspend the deployment of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)," said Martin.

Burundi is to hold legislative and communal elections on June 5 and presidential election on June 26, but several opposition parties and opposition coalitions have pulled out of the country's electoral process.

Since April 26, protests against the third term bid of Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza are ongoing in some neighborhoods of the capital Bujumbura and more than 30 people were killed during clashes between protesters and police.