Burundi opposition decries crackdown ahead of general elections

The main opposition party in Burundi, the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), has decried a crackdown against its members by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government.

Party spokesman, Térence Manirambona in a statement on Saturday said that about 10 of its members have been killed and 200 others jailed ahead of next month’s general elections.

Térence Manirambona told journalists in the main city of Bujumbura that political intolerance and violence against their members had intensified as the general elections draws even nearer.

READ ALSO: DR CONGO: 12 rangers, civilians killed during attack at National Park

The CNL spokesman accused the ruling party’s youth wing, Imbonerakure, along with police and intelligence officers, of being behind the crackdown.

Five candidates, all men, are standing to replace President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005 with CNL’s Agathon Rwasa, a long time opponent of the president, the main challenger to the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s candidate Maj Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now