Burundi's president gives 15 days to armed groups to surrender to security forces

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has given 15 days to armed groups in Bururi and Rumonge southern provinces to surrender to security forces.

"Give phone calls to your brothers who are members of armed groups and tell them that we came here. We gave them 15 days only to surrender to security forces. Beyond the 15 days, we will fight them mercilessly," said Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza while talking to the population at Mugamba, a district that has been disturbed by armed groups during the recent days.

According to him, strategies and means used to neutralize armed groups in the Burundian capital Bujumbura "will also be used" at Mugamba in Bururi and some areas in Rumonge provinces.

"In the capital Bujumbura, they (armed insurgents) accepted to surrender to security forces and understood. They are now receiving civic education and are being trained in terms of handicrafts," said Nkurunziza.

He indicated that elections held last year already ended and emphasized that they will not be redone.

Nkurunziza said, "It is rather the time to prepare the forthcoming elections of 2020, 2025, etc."

Burundi is facing a political turmoil that broke out since April 2015 following the announcement that he would be seeking a third term.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.

Over 451 persons are reported to have been killed since then while some 270,000 citizens sought exile in neighboring countries. Endit