THE PRE-ELECTORAL PERIOD IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH PEACE AND STABILITY IN BURUNDI

THE PRE-ELECTORAL PERIOD IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH PEACE AND STABILITY IN BURUNDI

Since 25 April 2015, Burundi has experienced an unprecedented crisis triggered by the decision of President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term unconstitutional and in violation of the Arusha Agreement. The following day, protests against this term began. A brutal repression against all forms of real or presumed political opposition, is observed to this day. Opposition political parties and civil society leaders been have forced into exile, civil society organizations have been banned and independent media destroyed and suspended. This repression has resulted into serious crimes of international law such as extrajudicial executions, targeted killings, enforced disappearances and acts of torture. Other forms of inhuman and/or degrading ill-treatment as well as arbitrary arrests and unjust imprisonment have been recorded. Read or download the article