Burundi’s opposition parties and civil society groups said they welcome Wednesday’s announcement by the electoral commission to postpone Friday’s parliamentary election. They maintain that President Pierre Nkurunziza’s contentious decision to seek a third term, which has sparked weeks of violent protests, is non-negotiable. Leaders of the East Africa Community have asked Bujumbura to postpone the elections. A spokesman for Nkurunziza said Wednesday the electoral commission is considering a new timetable. Innocent Muhozi, general manager of the independent Renaissance radio television network, said the third term bid is one of many issues the opposition and organizers of the protests want to highlight during the next round of talks. The opposition has agreed to resume the dialogue with the government.
“Most of the people on the ground – the opposition and protesters – are happy with that, even if they didn’t talk about the question of term mandate and many other questions. But, as the communique said, it’s possible that this postponement will help to deal with all the other questions that are on the table now,” he said.
Muhozi said the international community must understand that the demonstrations taking place daily in Burundi are not just about Nkurunziza’s controversial third term bid, but rather a combination of issues that he said are destroying the fabric of the society.
Full Article: Burundi Opposition Welcomes Parliamentary Vote Delay.