No fewer than two protesters have been killed in Burundi, according to a leading rights activist, as demonstrations against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office entered a second week.
Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a veteran member of the civil society groups, which called the rallies, said the two protesters were shot dead in the capital, Bujumbura.
The police had no immediate comment but said they would issue a statement later, the Reuters news agency reported.
Thousands of protesters joined Monday’s protest with some managing to reach the centre of the capital, which they had previously failed to access amid heavy police and military presence.
Gunfire rang out and men ducked for cover as some shopkeepers hurriedly closed their businesses.
Several people were also injured after the gunfire, the Associated Press news agency reported citing witnesses.
The government has called the demonstrations an “insurrection” and accused protesters of stoking violence.
Burundi’s government has vowed a major crackdown on political protests, accusing opposition and civil society groups of providing cover for a “terrorist enterprise”.
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