BUJUMBURA: Grenade attacks in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura and a northern town close to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s home village killed four people on Sunday night, police said, as parliamentary elections and a presidential vote approach.
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A prominent Burundi rights group, led by an activist who also opposes the third-term bid, said last week that the death toll since protests erupted was at least 70. On Friday, 11 police officers were injured in grenade attacks against police posts in the capital Bujumbura.
More than 100,000 people have fled the violence to neighbouring countries.
“The Secretary-General has requested…Abdoulaye Bathily, to offer good offices in Burundi in support of regional efforts to reduce tensions and help Burundians peacefully settle their differences”, the U.N said in a statement, referring to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “President Pierre Nkurunziza,” a senior police officer is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
The European Union (EU) warned Burundi on Monday it might impose sanctions on those responsible for violence and consider other steps against the aid-reliant nation, plunged into turmoil by the president’s plan to run for a third term.
Opponents of Mr Nkurunziza say the attacks are aimed at creating instability, which would provide the security services with a pretext for a crackdown, the BBC’s Karen Allen reports from Nairobi.
Opponents say Nkurunziza’s bid to extend his tenure violates a two-term limit set out in peace agreements that in 2005 brought an end to a 12-year civil war.
Philippe Nzobonariba, Burundi government spokesperson, welcomed Bathily’s appointment but said the country wouldn’t budge on the timings of forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, due to take place on June 29 and July 15.
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In May, the president survived a coup attempt.
