01 Jun 2018 | 05:30 PM UTC
Burundi: Court upholds referendum results May 31 /update 7
Constitutional Court upholds referendum results May 31; opposition protests possible in the coming days
Event
On Thursday, May 31, Burundi’s Constitutional Court ruled that the referendum held on May 17 was valid. The court rejected a petition by the opposition coalition which alleged that state-sanctioned voter intimidation and abuse occurred during the vote. Opposition demonstrations over the court’s ruling are possible in the coming days.
Context
The opposition coalition Amizero y'Abarundi led by Agathon Rwasa filed an appeal to the Constitutional Court on May 24. The referendum was organized to decide whether to extend presidential terms from the current five years to seven, among other reasons. The changes limit the president to two consecutive terms but do not take into account previous terms, allowing current President Pierre Nkurunziza to remain in power until 2034. On May 17, Burundians approved the proposed amendments with 73 percent of the vote.
Political violence persists throughout Burundi nearly three years after the country's contested July 2015 elections. Nkurunziza was elected to a controversial third term in 2015 even though Burundian law stipulated a maximum presidential tenure of two five-year terms prior to the referendum. While the country appears to be experiencing a period of relative calm (certainly in comparison to the violent outbreaks witnessed in 2015 and 2016), the situation remains worrisome, particularly in the capital Bujumbura, where the risk of politically motivated outbreaks of violence remains. In February, Burundian police threatened to arrest individuals who campaigned too early against the referendum and disturb public order; dozens of opposition members were detained for promoting a "no" vote.
Advice
Individuals present in Burundi should avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public spaces, avoid all public gatherings and demonstrations (especially those with no visible security presence), and maintain a high level of vigilance at all times. Be extremely vigilant in crowded places such as churches, markets, cafés, and bus stations.
