Lucky Number Three / Burundi
In April, 2015, the President of Burundi, Mr. Nkurunziza, announced that he would seek a third term in office. Because Burundi’s constitution limits a president to two terms, the African Union, the European Union, and the US State Department voiced their opposition to Mr. Nkurunziza’s decision.
Since then, protesters have gathered in the streets of the capital of Bujumbura to demand that the President step down. The anti-government protests quickly turned violent as the military and police rallied against them throughout the city. At least 100 people have died in the protests, while over 100,000 others, fearing for their lives, fled to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although President Nkurunziza withstood an attempted coup in mid-May, he continued to fight for his re-election. On August 20th, he was sworn in for a third term at a surprise ceremony that took place a week ahead of schedule.
Lucky Number Three // Bujumbura, Burundi
In April, 2015, the President of Burundi, Mr. Nkurunziza, announced that he would seek a third term in office. Because Burundi’s constitution limits a president to two terms, the African Union, the European Union, and the US State Department voiced their opposition to Mr. Nkurunziza’s decision.
Since then, protesters have gathered in the streets of the capital of Bujumbura to demand that the President step down. The anti-government protests quickly turned violent as the military and police rallied against them throughout the city. At least 100 people have died in the protests, while over 100,000 others, fearing for their lives, fled to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although President Nkurunziza withstood an attempted coup in mid-May, he continued to fight for his re-election. On August 20th, he was sworn in for a third term at a surprise ceremony that took place a week ahead of schedule.
