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Burundi court backs president's third-term run amid protests

Xinhua, May 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundi's constitutional court on Tuesday ruled that President Pierre Nkurunziza can run again in the June presidential election, striking fears of a further escalation in protests against his decision.

Six out of the seven judges at the court approved the president's candidacy, in response to a request by 14 senators from the ruling CNDD-FDD to examine its legality.

Nkurunziza was nominated by the ruling party as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election on April 25, after which protests over his third-term bid have escalated and turned violent.

The opposition says his re-election bid violates the constitution 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.

Clashes have left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, the Red Cross says.

Protest organizer Me Vital Nshimirimana on Monday said that "as long as Nkurunziza doesn't renounce his third-term bid, the protests will continue", in defiance of a government ban on protests. Endi