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French and British journalists among 17 arrested in Burundi crackdown
French and British journalists among 17 arrested in Burundi crackdown
Tension continues to be on the high in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, which has been a hot-bed for violence in recent times with incoming reports revealing that a French and a British journalist were among 17 people arrested during raids by security operatives.
The security forces claimed they seized weapons during the operation.
The East African country has been in political crisis since President Pierre Nkrunziza announced his intention to run for a third term in office in April which he eventually went on to win in a heavily-disputed election three months later.
Read also: We’ve evidence Burundi troops gang raped women- UN
Immediately after the elections, Nkurunziza launched a crackdown on opposition parties, human rights activists and especially- the media.
It would be recalled that last November, Robert Mahoney, deputy director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a press freedom lobby group, had described independent media in Burundi as being under attack.
“Many journalists have fled the country. Those who remain are trying to work but the authorities seem intent on preventing them from covering hard news. This must stop,” Mahoney said.
Reports say that at least 300 people have been killed in intermittent violence during the crisis and 215,000 others have fled the once peaceful country.
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