The African
Union wants Burundi’s July 15 presidential election postponed, saying a new
date should be decided by way of negotiations between the government and
opposition.
The
election date, originally June 26, was changed by presidential decree following
an electoral commission proposal.
Violent
protests in Burundi have engulfed the country’s capital since President Pierre
Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third term, a move critics say violates a two-term limit in the constitution.
Nkurunziza’s
supporters argue he is eligible to run again because he was appointed by
lawmakers to his first term in office, and not elected by a popular vote.
The AU believes a new election date should be determined by
a consensus among the Burundian stakeholders.
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| Violent protests have rocked Burundi for nearly two months |
In a separate
development, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch today released a short video
on police abuses during demonstrations that began in Bujumbura back in April.
There
have been numerous reports of police shooting at crowds indiscriminately and
severely beating demonstrators and detainees.
Demonstrators
have also resorted to violence, injuring policemen and damaging buildings and
vehicles.
Dozens of people have been killed and more
than 300 injured since the end of April.