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UN envoy urges restraint in Burundi protests

Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Visiting United Nations (UN) special envoy to the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit on Thursday called for restraint in the protests against Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term which have left two people dead.

"There have been incidents of great concern to the UN secretary- general and the UN Security Council on Burundi's current situation. Our appeal is to exercise restraint on both sides. The government (of Burundi) should not use excessive force and protesters should demonstrate peacefully," said Djinnit after a meeting with Burundi's First Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza.

He said that in the current situation, it is important that communication and expression be allowed to avoid "proliferation of rumors," urging the restoration of media communication.

On Monday, the government shut one of the major private radio stations in the country - the African Public Radio, for "creating chaos."

Frequencies of main private radio stations were also cut in the countryside since Sunday afternoon.

Protests against Nkurunziza's bid for a third term have escalated since Sunday - one day after the president's candidacy was officially announced.

The government has banned all protests either for or against the president's decision.

Two people have been killed in the clashes between police and protesters.

The opposition says his bid violates Burundi's constitution and a peace agreement that ended the country's civil war, which only allow the president to be elected twice.

However, the president's supporters say his first term was appointed by parliament in 2005 after the civil war, not elected by the people.

Burundi will hold its general elections between May and August, with the presidential election to be held on June 26. Enditem

Djinnit said the UN is fully committed to working with all parties for the creation of favorable conditions for the upcoming elections.

"But beyond that, we believe that every problem should be discussed through dialogue," he said. Endi