People pray over the body of Jean-Claude Niyonzima during his burial at the Mpanda cemetery outside Bujumbura. Niyonzima was killed on 26 April following protests against the announcement that President Pierre Nkurunziza would run for a third term in the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for June 26.

AFP/Bujumbura


Burundi’s government yesterday vowed a major crackdown after a week of political protests, accusing opposition and civil society groups of providing cover for “enemies of the state”.
Burundi’s security minister, General Gabriel Nizigama, said an overnight grenade attack that killed three people, including two police, was “linked to those who say they are demonstrating” against the controversial bid by the central African nation’s president to serve a third term in office.
“We heard these criminals used grenades and guns, and for us they are linked to those who say they are demonstrating because they consider the police, who are bringing peace and security, to be their enemy,” the minister said.
“The security forces will from now on take every necessary measure to stop and arrest these criminals. The police, with the army, will do everything to stop this uprising,” he added. “From today we will no longer see demonstrations. We see criminals, terrorists and even enemies of the country.”
At least 10 people have died and scores more have been hurt since the protests began last weekend. Nearly 600 people have also been arrested, according to police.
The political unrest erupted after the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated President Pierre Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian from the Hutu majority, as its candidate in presidential elections due to be held on June 26.
Opposition figures and rights groups say Nkurunziza’s attempt to stand for a third consecutive term violates the constitution as well as a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2006. Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005.  His supporters, however, say he is eligible to run again, since his first term in office followed his election by parliament - not directly by the people as the constitution specifies.
The protesters announced a two-day truce but warned they would return to the streets tomorrow unless Nkurunziza backs down.
The UN voiced alarm over the political crisis, saying Nkurunziza’s government was engaged in a brutal crackdown but “will not succeed in quashing dissent”.
“According to one credible report, over 400 individuals are being held in extremely overcrowded conditions, with detainees having to sleep standing up,” Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN human rights office, told reporters in Geneva on Friday.
“Detainees have also been beaten, particularly on their feet and buttocks, with some of those released having trouble walking due to the beating,” he added.
Social media has been blocked and radio stations have been shut down.
A top US envoy, who met with the president this week to try and convince him to back down, has also warned the situation remains “very dangerous”.
The US has warned it could impose targeted sanctions against those in the heavily aid-dependent country who are behind the crackdown and violence against protestors.
There are fears that Burundi, which only emerged from civil war in 2006, could slide back into widespread violence.
The country’s 13-year civil war left at least 300,000 people dead.