Burundi protests against the president's third term bid enter third day, 6 killed over weekend

BUJUMBURA, Burundi –  Anti-government street demonstrations continued for a third day after six people died in protests against the move by President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term.


Police watched Wednesday as protesters in Bujumbura, the capital, burned tires and erected street barricades. Some protesters threw stones at the police, who have been using tear gas and water cannon to break up crowds. Red Cross officials say six people have died in the demonstrations.

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The ruling party said late Monday that the protests in Bujumbura are "nothing short of rebellion" and accused opposition figures of trying to make the country ungovernable.

Nkurunziza first came to power in 2005 after being voted in by lawmakers, then ran unopposed and was re-elected in 2010. His critics say a third term for him is unconstitutional.