See below Over the last year Burundi has been convulsed by a political and human rights crisis whose
origins lie in the decision by President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term in office. His
opponents argued that the 2000 Arusha Agreement, which helped to bring Burundi’s civil
war (1993-2005) to an end, stipulated a maximum of two presidential terms. Nkurunziza
and his supporters claimed that he had only been directly elected by the people for the
first time in 2010, so he could stand again.
When Nkurunziza’s candidacy was confirmed in April 2015, mass protests erupted on the
streets of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. These were met by fierce police repression. There
was an unsuccessful coup attempt against Nkurunziza in May. In defiance of key regional
and international countries, the presidential election took place in July 2015. The political
opposition boycotted the poll. Nkurunziza won easily.