Seated President Nkurunziza of the Central African country Burundi can stay on until 2034 thanks to a constitutional amendment that was supported on Thursday by a majority of Burundian voters. Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005, after years of civil war that killed 300,000 people.
According to the electoral commission, more than 73 percent of the 4.7 million voters voted in the referendum for the amendment of the constitution, 19 percent voted against. According to the new rules, Nkurunziza may be re-elected for another two terms. Besides, these terms have been extended from five to seven years.
Nkurunziza had to leave in 2015 but got a third term as president until 2020. After that, he would be able to get another seven years, published by iStorify.
Castration
Burundi has been in the grip of violence since 2015 when Nkurunziza made it clear that he did not intend to resign. Besides, according to the UN, more than 1200 people died. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled.
According to observers, there was also an atmosphere of violence and intimidation around the referendum. Opponents of the referendum were threatened with drowning and castration.
No recognition
Opposition leader Rwasa has already said that he does not recognise the outcome of the referendum. He speaks of an undemocratic and intimidating election process.
The US Department of Defense says that the government of Burundi has allowed campaigning activities by the opposition. “But numerous incidents such as attacks and intimidation before the referendum have led to a climate of fear and intimidation.”