Burundi's government insists that the first stage of
controversial elections will go ahead next week despite the Central African
nation's ongoing political crisis.
Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana said that even after the
withdrawal of support from the influential Catholic Church and the European
Union, parliamentary polls will take place on Friday next week.
"There isn't any electoral process that doesn't suffer
from problems, in Burundi or any other country. We regret that certain partners
have pulled out of the process... but despite this, the elections will go ahead
in good condition," he said.
"That the EU withdraws and that the Church withdraws its
priests does not mean the elections should not take place. The Burundian people
are thirsty for these elections and we need to do everything so they take place
in good conditions," he added.
Burundi's crisis erupted over President Pierre Nkurunziza's
bid for a third term in office, with opposition and rights groups saying the
move violates the constitution as well as the terms of a peace deal that ended
a 13-year civil war in 2006.
Burundi's capital has been hit by weeks of civil unrest which
has left at least 30 dead in a major security crackdown, and the crisis
intensified earlier this month when a top general staged a failed coup attempt
- increasing fears that the impoverished, landlocked country could be plunged
back into widespread violence.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held on June 5, with a
presidential poll scheduled for June 26.
Burundi's Catholic Church said earlier that it could not
support the upcoming polls and that priests who serve in electoral commissions
across the country would step down.
The opposition has also said the holding of free and fair
elections is impossible, with independent media silenced and allegations of
threats and intimidation by Nkurunziza's supporters.
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