Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - "Today we celebrate national independence. The celebrations in the center of the capital, Bujumbura, are taking place without problems, but the suburbs are blocked due to the presence of opposition protesters" say local sources to Agenzia Fides from the capital of Burundi, where on 29 June municipal and legislative elections were held.
The elections were contested by the opposition and international community, because of the climate of tension caused by the announcement of President Pierre Nkurunziza to stand for presidential elections on July 15, for a third term in violation of the Constitution. In the clashes in recent weeks, at least 70 people were killed.
"From the partial results just published it appears that the opposition parties, that also boycotted the elections, have received several votes. This is because the armed militias of the presidential majority put pressure on the people so that they would go the polls and people had the courage to express their dissent by voting for the opposition. The parties allied to the President's party had very few votes", say Fides sources who for security reasons have asked to remain anonymous.
"We are awaiting the final results. In any case the opposition parties, civil society and the international community (UN, African Union, United States, European Union) state that these are irregular elections due to the context in which they are held: violence, intimidation, the closing of independent media, lack of independent election observers", continue our sources.
"We are living in a very difficult situation, although at the moment there appears to be a truce. But people continue to flee abroad, in neighboring Countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania) and those with financial resources, flee to Kenya or Europe. According to our estimates there are about 200,000 Burundians who have fled abroad. Even 4 or 5 priests were forced to flee because of threats", conclude Fides sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 01/07/2015)
