This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/20/burundi-president-delays-parliamentary-elections-pierre-nkurunziza

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burundi president delays parliamentary polls as clashes continue Burundi president delays parliamentary polls as clashes continue
(about 7 hours later)
The Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza, has postponed parliamentary elections after weeks of violent protests and a failed coup.The Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza, has postponed parliamentary elections after weeks of violent protests and a failed coup.
Legislative elections had been scheduled for 26 May, but were pushed back to 5 June after “a proposal from the electoral commission, to respond to a request from opposition parties, and finally to answer calls of the region and the international community”, Willy Nyamitwe, the president’s media adviser, said.Legislative elections had been scheduled for 26 May, but were pushed back to 5 June after “a proposal from the electoral commission, to respond to a request from opposition parties, and finally to answer calls of the region and the international community”, Willy Nyamitwe, the president’s media adviser, said.
No decision has been made as to whether the presidential poll set for 26 June would also be delayed. “Wait and see,” Nyamitwe said.No decision has been made as to whether the presidential poll set for 26 June would also be delayed. “Wait and see,” Nyamitwe said.
The EU and the African Union called for a delay to the elections on Tuesday, and South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, said the polls should be postponed indefinitely, after a meeting of Africa’s Great Lakes bloc of nations.The EU and the African Union called for a delay to the elections on Tuesday, and South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, said the polls should be postponed indefinitely, after a meeting of Africa’s Great Lakes bloc of nations.
Related: Power struggle in Burundi - the Guardian briefingRelated: Power struggle in Burundi - the Guardian briefing
At least 20 people have been killed in weeks of street battles with security forces. Demonstrations ended last week when generals launched a failed coup attempt but resumed this week.At least 20 people have been killed in weeks of street battles with security forces. Demonstrations ended last week when generals launched a failed coup attempt but resumed this week.
Security forces fired warning shots and teargas to disperse the crowds on Wednesday, but they swiftly regrouped elsewhere.Security forces fired warning shots and teargas to disperse the crowds on Wednesday, but they swiftly regrouped elsewhere.
Opposition and rights groups say Nkurunziza’s bid for a third five-year term in power is unconstitutional and the terms of the peace deal that ended the 13-year civil war in 2006. Opposition and rights groups say Nkurunziza’s bid for a third five-year term in power is unconstitutional and contradicts the terms of the peace deal that ended the 13-year civil war in 2006.
But Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian who believes he has divine backing to lead the country, argues his first term did not count as he was elected by parliament, not by the people.But Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian who believes he has divine backing to lead the country, argues his first term did not count as he was elected by parliament, not by the people.
He has been accused by rights groups of waging a campaign of repression against opponents and trying to silence independent media since coup leaders admitted defeat on Friday after fierce fighting with loyalist troops.He has been accused by rights groups of waging a campaign of repression against opponents and trying to silence independent media since coup leaders admitted defeat on Friday after fierce fighting with loyalist troops.
But the presidency dismissed such claims and said it would “never carry out revenge raids”. It promised fair trials for those arrested.But the presidency dismissed such claims and said it would “never carry out revenge raids”. It promised fair trials for those arrested.
Almost a week after the coup attempt led by a senior general, during which soldiers fought each other on the streets, troops have largely replaced the police to stem the protests.Almost a week after the coup attempt led by a senior general, during which soldiers fought each other on the streets, troops have largely replaced the police to stem the protests.
More than 100,000 people have fled Burundi to neighbouring nations to escape political violence, according to the UN.More than 100,000 people have fled Burundi to neighbouring nations to escape political violence, according to the UN.