Bujumbura, BURUNDIBurundi’s incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza (centre) kneels on the ground as he prays during the last campaign of the ruling party, CNDD-FDD, in Bujumbura on May 16, 2020.
As Burundians get ready to vote in the presidential
election on Wednesday May 20, the government is calling for the respect of law
for a peace election.
In a statement issued
on Monday May 18, the Public Security ministry said; “We want to warn whoever
will try to destabilise the elections that the police and its security partners
are instructed not to tolerate any disruption.” It was signed by Alain
Guillaume Bunyoni, the Public Security minister.
This comes after
violence between the ruling party youth wing Imbonerakure and National Congress
for Liberty (CNL) militants marred the 21 days of campaigning, leading to the
killing of four people, according to the government.
The ministry has also
asked supporters of opposition parties CNL and Uprona to cast their votes
peacefully, “and return to their homes immediately after the vote. All
gathering at polling stations are strictly prohibited.” This was in reaction to
the parties’ call on its members to turn up in big numbers.
In his final rally in
Gitega, opposition leader Agathon Rwasa called on his supporters to closely
monitor the elections.
“We know they want to
steal votes but everyone should monitor closely the counting because it is
their right,” said Rwasa.
Mr Rwasa has spoken of
continued attacks on his CNL party supporters and members, and also alleged
that this is specific on candidates or their electoral observers.
The CNL party has said
that more than 300 party members have been arrested since the beginning of the
campaigns.
Confrontation between
the opposition members and ruling party’s youth wing Imbonerakure have been
reported countrywide specifically in the provinces of Ngozi, Kirundo, Kayanza,
Bujumbura and Gitega.
Burundi, unlike other
EAC countries does not give regular updates on the covid-19 situation or
numbers and on Sunday May 17, the Health ministry announced 15 new Covid-19
cases based on tests conducted earlier this month.
Currently the total number of Covid-19 cases in Burundi stands at 42 from which 20 recovered and discharged with one fatality.
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