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One killed in protests against Burundi president's third term bid

Xinhua, June 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundian police on Friday shot dead one demonstrator and seriously injured another here in protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's third term bid.

"The incident occurred today (Friday) morning at the First Avenue at Musaga during clashes between hundreds of protesters and police agents. One protester died on the spot after he was shot and another one was seriously injured," a witness, who declined to be named, told Xinhua.

Witnesses indicated that the clashes occurred when police agents were dispersing protesters who wanted to proceed to Bujumbura city center.

According to the witnesses, police used live bullets to disperse the demonstrators.

Demonstrations were also reported in Cibitoke, Mutakura, Ngagara and Nyakabiga neighborhoods.

In Ngagara neighborhood, demonstrators burned a passenger minibus.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 25 when Nkurunziza's party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), announced that he will run for a third term in the forthcoming presidential election, despite warnings at home and abroad.

Clashes between protesters and police, mainly in the capital Bujumbura, have left more than 30 dead, according to Burundi's civil society groups.

Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005.

Opponents say his decision violates the constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement that limits the president to two terms in office.

His supporters argue that his first term does not count as he was appointed by parliament, not elected by people. Endi