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Burundi’s Catholic Church Pulls Support for Elections Burundi’s Catholic Church Withdraws Support for Elections
(about 7 hours later)
BUJUMBURA, Burundi — The Catholic Church of Burundi announced Thursday that it would withdraw its priests appointed to help organize the elections at the heart of the political upheaval in the country. BUJUMBURA, Burundi — The Roman Catholic Church of Burundi announced Thursday that it would withdraw its priests appointed to help organize the elections at the heart of the political upheaval in the country.
“The Catholic Church cannot support elections that are full of shortcomings,” Bishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement read on Catholic and state radio. “It cannot support a process which is not based on a consensus.”“The Catholic Church cannot support elections that are full of shortcomings,” Bishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement read on Catholic and state radio. “It cannot support a process which is not based on a consensus.”
President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office has upended Burundi, setting off protests, clashes and a security crackdown. At least 20 people have been killed.President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office has upended Burundi, setting off protests, clashes and a security crackdown. At least 20 people have been killed.
Critics say the Constitution prohibits Mr. Nkurunziza, who became president in 2005, from running again. His supporters say that his first five-year term should not count toward the constitutional limit because he was initially elected by Parliament, not by voters.Critics say the Constitution prohibits Mr. Nkurunziza, who became president in 2005, from running again. His supporters say that his first five-year term should not count toward the constitutional limit because he was initially elected by Parliament, not by voters.
After almost a month of daily protests and a failed coup attempt, the crisis has begun to take a serious economic toll, with no clear end in sight.After almost a month of daily protests and a failed coup attempt, the crisis has begun to take a serious economic toll, with no clear end in sight.
The majority of opposition parties have said that they will not take part in the elections next month, citing insecurity and the closing of some radio stations. A majority of opposition parties have said they will not take part in the elections next month, citing insecurity and the closing of some radio stations.
“Conditions are not conducive to elections,” said Agathon Rwasa, an opposition leader. “How can we participate in elections while there is no radio station which could report on what is happening?”“Conditions are not conducive to elections,” said Agathon Rwasa, an opposition leader. “How can we participate in elections while there is no radio station which could report on what is happening?”
Though the Catholic Church said it would not help organize the disputed elections, it did not say its members should boycott the voting. Though the church said it would not help organize the disputed elections, it did not say its members should boycott the voting.
“As citizens who meet requirements, we will go to vote during the time of elections,” it said.“As citizens who meet requirements, we will go to vote during the time of elections,” it said.
Prosper Ntahorwamiye, the spokesman for the electoral commission, said the commission had “taken note” of the church’s decision and would adjust.Prosper Ntahorwamiye, the spokesman for the electoral commission, said the commission had “taken note” of the church’s decision and would adjust.
“Before proceeding to the substitution of those priests, members of the organization committees at the level of provinces and districts will go on working,” Mr. Ntahorwamiye said.“Before proceeding to the substitution of those priests, members of the organization committees at the level of provinces and districts will go on working,” Mr. Ntahorwamiye said.