Belgium has warned Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza on Thursday that it would cut off aid to his government if he goes ahead with his bid for a third term in office.
Earlier on Thursday soldiers and police once again faced off against young men throwing rocks amid protests in the Burundian capital Bujumbura. The latest violence comes after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced the delay of legislative elections.
More than 20 people have since been killed in almost a month of fighting in Burundi.
The struggle to stop Nkurunziza seeking a third term risks re-opening old wounds between the country’s Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
“A third term would deal a serious blow to the legitimacy of the Burundian government,” the Belgian foreign ministry said, adding that in such a case it would review its aid to focus on strengthening democratic forces in the country.
Belgium’s development aid for Burundi in 2013 was just under 50 million euros ($55.7 million), most of it going directly to the state.
– Reuters
