Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has rejected an appeal from the European Union and the United States to delay the June 26 presidential election.
Nkurunziza reportedly told the BBC that postponing the vote would worsen the situation and plunge the country into deeper crisis.
Mr Nkurunziza further told the BBC that the protests against his third-term bid for the presidency had been orchestrated by “outside forces” and he regrets the protests have caused some deaths.
The European Union said Monday that delaying the electoral timetable would help “calm the situation” in the country where there have been deadly protests since Nkurunziza announced his intention to seek a third term.
Burundi’s constitutional court ruled that Nkurunziza’s first term does not count because he was picked by lawmakers and not elected by voters.
About 2,000 people marched through the streets of Bujumbura , Burundi’s capital on Monday breaking the government’s ban on any further street protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power.
The European Union Observer mission for the June elections said the Burundi government is curtailing fundamental freedoms of expression, association and protest which are essential conditions of democratic elections.
At least 18 people have been killed in protests against Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term and more than 50,000 have fled to neighbouring Rwanda and Tanzania.
Burundi’s opposition and civil society groups insist that Mr Nkurunziza’s third-term bid is unconstitutional and he should step down.
But the president argues his first term does not count as he was appointed by parliament, not directly elected by the people. Last week, the constitutional court backed this interpretation.
