Burundi police have killed at least 22 people the spokesperson describes as “evil-doers” belonging to an armed group, in clashes near the major city of Bujumbura.
Police revealed on Tuesday evening that the clashes that occurred on Sunday also took the lives of two police officers.
Police spokesperson Pierre Nkurikiye said the protesters were individuals who “took advantage of the electoral period” to incite violence. Burundi goes to the polls in May for a presidential election.
One of the 22 who were killed was a teacher believed to be a leader of the group.
The country’s main opposition party, National Freedom Council (CNL) agrees with the police that the violence that broke out was connected to the upcoming elections.
President Pierre Nkurunziza will not be contesting on behalf of the CNDD-FDD. He is stepping down after 15 years in power.
The president had earlier secured a change in the constitution that gave him the right to run until 2034.
Nkurunziza’s close ally and CNDD-FDD’s former general secretary, Evariste Ndayishimiye, is the party’s candidate. The 52-year-old is also a former national security minister.
Burundi is one of Africa’s worst examples of civil war destruction. The country went through a 12-year conflict that killed tens of thousands and displaced many more.
Anthony Madu, the 14-year-old Nigerian dancer from Lagos who gained admission to a prestigious ballet…
Actor-host Wayne Brady recently opened up about his early financial struggles in his now thriving…
Mia Arianna, also known as @mia.ariannaa on TikTok, helped her son become an honorary team…
Alvin Gauthier, a Grand Prairie USPS postman, recently went above and beyond to brighten a…
Maj. Gen. Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed is the first female commander of the air force and…
Benjamin E. Mays High School brought together its 272 senior class members for a meeting…
Afrika Owes' emotional response to learning that she had passed the bar exam on her…
A 49-year-old New York attorney was on April 26 sentenced to 10 years in federal…
During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, pop legend Cher opened up…
Authorities in Florida said an 11-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his 14-year-old…
The famous Taylor Schlitz family is making headlines once more as the youngest of the…
Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Tahra Grant as its Chief Communications Officer. She replaces Robert…
Meet Ashley M. Fox, the founder of Empify and the first in her family to…
Tyra Banks, the iconic former host of Dancing With the Stars, has made a delightful…
A Brazilian woman named Érika de Souza, 42, is under investigation for manslaughter after authorities…