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July 22, 2015

Burundi: Opposition Official Killed During Presidential Election 
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In news from Africa, officials have begun to count votes in this week's
contested presidential election in Burundi. Burundi's incumbent
President Pierre Nkurunziza is seeking a third term, which opposition
parties say is a violation of the country's constitution. More than 100
people have died in protests against Nkurunziza's bid for a third term,
including one opposition official who was found dead yesterday in the
capital. U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby dismissed the
election's credibility.

John Kirby: "There's no international observers. There's routine
intimidation of voters. There's been a sustained effort to silence
freedom of speech by media and by opposition members. So, this is
— in no way, shape, or form can this be considered a free, fair or
credible election."

 

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