Protests after Burundi’s leader is nominated for third term

HUNDREDS of people in Burundi protested in the capital, Bujumbura, yesterday after the country’s ruling party nominated President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term.

There were clashes between protesters and armed police in the nation’s capital. Police fired tear gas to break up crowds and also blocked access to some parts of the city.

According to AP, watchdog groups and observers had warned of possible unrest if Nkurunziza decided to again. Thousands of Burundians have already fled the country ahead of presidential elections on June 26.

Burundi’s constitution stipulates that a president can only serve for two terms, but Nkurunziza’s party says he is eligible for another term as popularly elected president because for his first term, he was elected by lawmakers.