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Burundi vice-president calls on president to quit Burundi vice-president calls on president to quit
(about 2 hours later)
One of Burundi’s vice-presidents has fled the country and sought refuge in Belgium after urging the president to step down days before key elections. One of Burundi’s vice-presidents has fled the country and sought refuge in Belgium after urging the president to step down days before elections are due to place.
“Put the interests of the Burundian people before your personal interests and withdraw your presidential bid, because it violates the constitution,” Gervais Rufyikiri said in a letter to Pierre Nkurunziza.“Put the interests of the Burundian people before your personal interests and withdraw your presidential bid, because it violates the constitution,” Gervais Rufyikiri said in a letter to Pierre Nkurunziza.
He told France 24 television he had sought refuge in Belgium after opposing Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power.He told France 24 television he had sought refuge in Belgium after opposing Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power.
“I left … because I was not able to continue to support the attitude of the president, his desire to lead the people of Burundi on the path of illegality,” he told the broadcaster late on Wednesday. “I left … because I was not able to continue to support the attitude of the president, his desire to lead the people of Burundi on the path of illegality,” he said.
In the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, a source confirmed the authenticity of Rufyikiri’s letter and his presence in Belgium.In the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, a source confirmed the authenticity of Rufyikiri’s letter and his presence in Belgium.
The troubled central African nation has been in crisis since late April over Nkurunziza’s controversial bid to stand for another five-year term. The country has been in crisis since late April over Nkurunziza’s controversial bid to stand for another five-year term.
Opponents have called the move unconstitutional and a violation of a peace deal that paved the way to end 13 years of civil war in 2006.Opponents have called the move unconstitutional and a violation of a peace deal that paved the way to end 13 years of civil war in 2006.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held on Monday, ahead of the presidential vote on 15 July.Parliamentary elections are due to be held on Monday, ahead of the presidential vote on 15 July.