Thousands flee Burundi following protests over third-term Presidential election bid

By

Charles Ayitey

Following a ruling by the Burundi Constitutional Court granting President Pierre Nkurunziza a permit to run for a third term, protesters have taken to the streets in throughout the central African nation.

So far, twelve people have been killed during clashes with police as 20,000 civilians are reported to be fleeing to neighbouring countries.

In the meantime, officials at the African Union say they are concerned about ongoing threats to stability caused by the third-term dispute.

History

President Nkurunziza, who also majors as an ex rebel leader, has been in power since 2005, following his appointment by parliament after a peace deal that ended a 12-year civil war. Mr Nkurunziza later won the 2010 presidential election after the main opposition parties boycotted the vote over concerns of electoral rigging.

Charles Ayitey 

Charles Ayitey is from Accra, Ghana and works as a Broadcast Journalist for Business Television Africa.