The elections are due in two weeks despite the coronavirus pandemic
BUJUMBURA, May 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burundi’s police says it has arrested 64 supporters of the main opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL), who are blamed for violent clashes with ruling party supporters during the current general election campaign.
Burundians are due to go to the polls for presidential and parliamentary elections on May 20.
The latest person to be arrested Cathy Kezimana, an outspoken CNL parliamentary candidate. She was detained on Tuesday during a campaign tour in the south of the country.
Police spokesperson Pierre Nkurikiye told the state broadcaster that “most cases of violence and crimes in the campaigns are committed by CNL members” against members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
Nkurikiye said the clashes had so far led to the deaths of two people.
He accused opposition leaders of encouraging the violence.
Opposition spokesperson Terence Manirambona said they were shocked by the comments.
“Since the campaigns started many of our members have been arrested under false charges, two have gone missing and many injured in clashes caused by the ruling party members who invade our activities,” he said.
Seven candidates are running for the presidential election, including the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s General Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is presented on election posters as the “heir” of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has been in office since 2005 but is not standing for re-election.
His main opponent is the historic leader of the former Hutu rebel FNL and candidate of the National Council for Liberty (CNL) party, Agathon Rwasa. — NNN-AGENCIES
