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Burundi's ruling party nominates presidential candidate

Xinhua, April 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

A congress of Burundi's ruling party on Saturday elected President Pierre Nkurunziza as the party candidate for the east African country's presidential election set for June 26.

Senior members of the ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD- FDD), diplomats, and representatives of political parties and leaders of civil society organizations attended the congress.

At the beginning of the party congress, CNDD-FDD Chairman Pascal Nyabenda said that 899 out of 1020 congresspersons were present at the congress.

Nkurunziza had two challengers including MP Joseph Ntakarutimana, vice-chairman of the ruling party and MP Mo-Mamo Karerwa, Vice-Speaker of the country's National Assembly.

In a final communique, CNDD-FDD Spokesman Senator Daniel Gelase Ndabirabe said that Nkurunziza beat his challengers with 100 percent of votes, meaning that they did not even vote for themselves.

After the election of Nkurunziza as the candidate of the CNDD- FDD in the forthcoming presidential election, the CNDD-FDD chairman warned citizens who would attempt to stage protests.

"Going to the street is at the origin of chaos in the country. It is a violation of the law. We call on security forces to do their assignments to help Burundian citizens remain in peace," said Nyabenda.

For his part, Nkurunziza thanked congresspersons for electing him.

"I promise not to betray you, to continue the preparation for elections and not to be scared by rumors," said Nkurunziza.

Nkurunziza was elected to represent his party in Burundi's upcoming presidential election while there are disagreements within the CNDD-FDD over Nkurunziza's third term.

Several senior officials from the party were last month sacked from the party and from their positions for signing a petition requesting Nkurunziza to avoid his plans to run a third term.

Meanwhile, the opposition and the civil society have called for mass protests nationwide on Sunday if Nkurunziza is designated, by his party (the CNDD-FDD), as the candidate for the presidential election.

Besides, at least 10,000 Burundian citizens from provinces bordering Rwanda are reported to have fled insecurity into Rwanda since last month.

Those asylum seekers said they are intimidated by the ruling party youths (Imbonerakure) who were reportedly distributed arms.

Burundi's Roman Catholic Church, opposition parties and several civil organizations have earlier announced their opposition against Nkurunziza's third term.

They said the move is a violation of the Arusha Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi and the country's Constitution, adding that the move will bring violence to the east African nation.

The constitution and the Arusha Agreement stipulate that a president of Burundi cannot serve the country for more than two terms.

Nkurunziza was elected by parliament in 2005 and directly re- elected by citizens in 2010.

Burundi is this year to hold general elections between May 26 and August 24, with the presidential election to be held on June 26. Endi