Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - The opposition in Burundi announced that it will boycott the elections which will begin on June 29, with the vote for the renewal of the municipalities and parliament. On July 15, the disputed presidential election should be held, where incumbent President, Pierre Nkurunziza, hopes to get a third term, although the Constitution provides for only two.
The opposition’s decision was in the air, since only the parties close to President Pierre Nkurunziza has launched the election campaign (see Fides 22/06/2015). In a letter to the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), the representatives of the opposition denounced the electoral calendar established unilaterally, despite the recommendations of the international community calling for a shared decision between all political and social components of the Country.
It also criticizes the fact that the elections will certainly not be "peaceful, transparent and inclusive" due to the presence of the Imbonerakure militia linked to the President’s party, the closure of independent media (see Fides 16/05/2015) and the unsuccessful return to the places of origin of displaced persons and refugees. Moreover, CENI is now composed only of representatives close to the President, because the majority of its other components have fled abroad.
The second Vice President, Gervais Rufyikiri, applied for asylum abroad because "he is no longer able to support the President’s behaviour, his desire to lead the people of Burundi on the path of lawlessness". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/06/2015)
