Burundi has been hit by a new wave of protests as opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term grows.
Gunfire was heard and streets were barricaded in parts of the capital, Bujumbura, in the third day of protests, witnesses told the BBC.
Police are blocking about students in the second city, Gitega, from joining the demonstrations, residents said.
The protests are the biggest in Burundi since the civil war ended in 2005.
The army and police have been deployed to quell the protests, which have been described by government officials as an insurrection.
‘Phone lines cut’
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said, in a statement, that he had despatched his special envoy for the region, Said Djinnit, to Burundi for talks with Mr Nkurunziza.
The crisis is also due to be discussed later at a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.
