Published in: GENERAL

The dilemma facing Burundi before the presidential vote

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Published on: June 14, 2023

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Officials of Burundi's National Electoral Commission take stock of electoral material for the upcoming parliamentary elections at a warehouse in the neighbourhood of Nyakabiga near the capital Bujumbura — Burundians readying themselves for the presidential election

With just a day to elections, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza appears set to win a controversial third consecutive term .

Opposition parties and civil society groups have denounced his candidacy as unconstitutional.

Several candidates have withdrawn from the race, citing the polls won’t be free and fair.

Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term has divided the nation, and earlier this year sparked weeks of chaos.

The move sparked weeks of violent street protests and an attempted coup in mid-May.

At least 100 people died. Thousands of Burundians have fled into neighbouring countries. Government has encouraged them to return in order to vote, but it’s unlikely that will happen for most of them.

President Pierre Nkuruniza during a press conference in Brussels

African efforts to cool the Burundi crisis have stumbled, despite calls by the African Union and regional east African states for dialogue.

The political crisis was triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to stand for a third term in an election due to take place on Tuesday.

Opposition parties say Nkurunziza’s re-election bid is unconstitutional and are boycotting the election race.

The president cites a court ruling declaring he can run for five more years in office. Dozens of people have already died in protests in the east

African nation which emerged from civil war in 2005. Hundreds of thousands have fled to other states with a history of ethnic conflict, including neighboring Rwanda.

The refugee crisis has put pressure on Burundi’s neighbours too.

Meanwhile, regional mediation efforts meant to address the crisis at the weekend hit a snag. Government did not show up to the talks, but even though some say the talks are now, quote, dead, the Ugandan-led mediation team says they will go on

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