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Burundi gov't to hold meeting over election, urges halt in protests

Xinhua, May 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Political parties in Burundi will attend a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the country's electoral process, Burundi's interior minister has said, urging a three-day halt starting from Monday in protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking a third term.

"We want to appeal for a suspension of protests to await the conclusions of a meeting set for May 5 to 6, 2015, between leaders of political parties and all those concerned with the electoral process," Edouard Nduwimana said on Sunday.

He said the two-day meeting would bring together leaders of political parties and coalitions of parties recognized by the law, independent candidates and representatives of religious groups, civil society, media and major institutions.

Protests have escalated since April 26 - one day after the ruling CNDD-FDD nominated Nkurunziza as its candidate for the June presidential election.

Clashes between protesters and police have left at least six dead and several others injured.

Burundi's Education Minister Rose Gahiru has asked protest organizers to ensure children do not take part in the protests.

"We appeal to the organizers to ensure that no child aged below 18 years or one who is still going to school participates in the protests because even though the law allows adults to protest, it is very clear on the right to education and protection of children, " she told a press briefing over the weekend.

Minors had been seen burning tyres, and some even burnt vehicles, in the capital Bujumbura during the protests, the minister said.

The opposition says Nkurunziza's re-election bid violates the constitution and a peace agreement that ended the country's civil war, which only allow the president to be elected to two terms in office.

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

Senators allied to Nkurunziza have asked the constitutional court to examine the legality of his candidacy. Endi