UK rejects Burundi court ruling in Nkurunziza 3rd term

The UK government has rejected Burundi constitutional Court’s ruling backing President Nkurunziza’s bid to run for a third term. 
 

The British Foreign and common wealth office released a statement citing reports of intimidation that they said “do not give the impression of an independent Constitutional Court that was able to come to an impartial decision.”

In the statement the UK government urged the Burundi government to take “steps necessary for a peaceful and prosperous democratic future for Burundi now. 
 

Reports of intimidation against members of the Constitutional Court do not give the impression of an independent court that was able to come to an impartial decision. This is not in the best interests of Burundi or its people.

UK called on all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to engage in political dialogue; recall the Arusha Agreement’s principles of good governance, rule of law and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. 

 

The UK statement also called for a “clear public commitment to disarming political youth groups, including the imbonerakure.” 

 

East African foreign Affairs ministers travelled to Burundi; Wednesday, May 06, 2015 following days of deadly demonstrations against a third term bid by President Pierre Nkurunziza.

 

Ministers from neighbouring Rwanda and Tanzania, as well as Kenya and Uganda, were in the capital Bujumbura for talks.

 

"They have come to listen to all parties in the conflict, and to try to propose ways out of crisis," said Burundi's foreign ministry spokesman Daniel Kabuto.

 

Protesters have defied calls to end demonstrations, after more than a week of running battles in which at least 13 people have been killed, including police.

 

Burundi Police, reportedly arrested the opposition presidential candidate; Odifax Ndabitoreye, who had gone for a meeting with the East African Affairs Ministers.

 

Scores have been killed, with about 600 people arrested and an estimated 40,000 people fleeing to neighbouring countries.

 

Last week the East African Community (EAC) -- the five-nation bloc that includes Burundi -- called in a statement for talks to ease tensions and to ensure "the realisation of a peaceful, free and fair electoral process."

 

The EAC also called on Burundi to "ensure that the electoral process does not lead to humanitarian crisis", noting that tens of thousands of Burundians have already fled into neighbouring nations fearing violence.

 

The president, a former rebel leader from the Hutu majority who has been in power since 2005, has come under intense international pressure to withdraw from the June 26 presidential poll.

 

Burundi, where a 13-year civil war between Tutsis and Hutus ended only in 2006, has been rocked by violent protests since the CNDD-FDD designated Nkurunziza to stand in what critics say is in defiance of the constitution and the Arusha accords which ended the war.