Local leader of Burundi's ruling party killed amid rising tensions

A local leader of Burundi’s ruling party was killed Thursday amid high tensions over the upcoming presidential election, officials said. Local security officials said the victim was Leonidas Ndikumagenge, who was the ruling party's chairman in Matana, southwest Burundi. At least six attackers wore military uniform as camouflage and opened fire on him while he was sitting a bar. Dozens of people have been killed in Burundi since protests erupted in late April after President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, said he would contest for a third term in office. Burundi’s opposition says Nkurunziza does not have the right to seek a third term, citing the country’s constitution, which limits presidents to two terms in office. Protests have since taken place in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, with demonstrators calling on the president to step down. Hundreds of Burundians have also fled their home to seek refuge in neighboring countries. During its 25th summit last week in Johannesburg, the African Union urged the Burundian government and opposition to consider the plight of their people and engage in meaningful dialogue so as to end the wave of protests in the East African nation.

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