President Pierre Nkurunziza has postponed Burundi’s parliamentary and local elections, following continued protests in the east central African country.
Nkurunziza postponed the election from May 26 to June 5, 2015, as police continued clashing with protesters bidding to scupper his third-term re-election ambition.
According to Reuters, Nkurunziza’s decree made no mention of the weeks of unrest in the capital Bujumbura or the failed coup, plotted in the country about a week ago.
His spokesman who talked with Reuters said the decision followed postponement requests from opposition politicians and the international community.
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The postponement has no effect on the contentious election for the office of the president on June 26.
Earlier in the year, Nkurunziza indicated his interest in running for president, after his party endorsed him for a third term, spawning nationwide protests that has resulted in a few deaths.
On Tuesday, Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa, said presidential election billed for June 26 should be postponed until the return of political stability and tranquility.
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Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenyan president, is also of the opinion that the presidential election should be postponed.
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