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Regional bloc lauds member states for receiving Burundian refugees

Xinhua, May 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

The East African Community (EAC) on Friday lauded its member states for opening their doors to Burundians who had fled their country amid fears of pre- election violence.

Protests against Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term have escalated and turned violence since Sunday, after the president's candidacy was officially announced.

Clashes between police and protesters have left two people dead.

Earlier reports said over 20,000 Burundians had flocked into Rwanda over the past month.

Some Burundians have started seeking refuge in neighboring countries, EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera said, urging the Burundian government and all parties to ensure that the electoral process does not lead to humanitarian crisis.

"The Community reiterates its continued commitment in supporting the people of Burundi in the attainment of free and fair elections and promoting dialogue among all parties involved when called upon," Sezibera said.

In early March, all political actors in Burundi signed a code of good conduct in which they committed to refrain from pursuing violence in the electoral process.

Some 300,000 people died in a more than ten-year civil war in Burundi between the Hutu majority rebel groups and the then Tutsi minority-dominated army which officially ended in 2005.

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

The EAC compromises Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Endi