Concerns are growing over rising tensions in Burundi ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.
At least 6,000 Burundi refugees are now known to have crossed into neighboring Rwanda in the last one month.
This, as incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza remains mum on whether he will be seeking a third term.
Beneath the seemingly normal and buzzing streets of Bujumbura are growing signs of stress on the country’s fragile peace over the last 10 years.
A dispute over whether incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza can run for a third term has triggered tension and what is arguably the worst political crisis since the 12-year civil war in the east African nation ended in 2005.
The UN high commission for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Hussein says , its future may well depend on which path is chosen by individual politicians and their supporters, as well as various key authorities, over the next few weeks.
He adds that he expects there will be a free and fair elections which would strengthen and mature Burundi’s still fragile democracy, and enable an improvement in its dire socio-economic situation.
The constitution and the Arusha peace deal that ended that war both say no one should be president for longer than 10 years.
While President Nkurunziza has not officially said weather he will be running in the June poll, his supporters argue he should that he was picked by parliamentarians rather than voted in the June poll.
But it’s the alleged activities of the youth wing of Nkurunziza’s ruling CNDD FDD party called the Imbonerakure – that is also worrying many
The group is accused of harassing and even killing members of the opposition. The UN says up to 1000 people are crossing into Rwanda daily , many say they are doing so because of the Imbonerakure
Zeid Ra’ad Hussein says unless the militia is brought under control and is subjected to the rule of law, then I think the situation, in as far as Burundi is concerned, is not just dangerous but will become much more difficult and problematic, whether there are elections or no elections. And clearly if the militia still continues to intimidate and harass then it is difficult to see how the elections could be fair and free.
The international community including the UN secretary general Ban Ki moon and African Union have expressed their growing concerns over the rising political tensions in Burundi
