Bujumbura, Burundi--Several demonstrators in Burundi were wounded Monday as police opened fire at protesters who returned to the streets of the capital to contest a bid by President Pierre Nkurunziza to extend his rule.
An AFP reporter saw at least eight people with bullet wounds after running battles with the police, who also fired tear gas and hurled stun grenades in a bid to disperse the crowds.
Witnesses reported other protestors were shot, with police apparently giving no warning before opening fire. Officers were also wounded by rocks thrown by protestors.
The small central African has been rocked by a series of violent protests after the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian from the Hutu majority, as its candidate in presidential elections due to be held on June 26.
Following two days of truce over the weekend, a few hundred protesters gathered in a suburb of the capital Bujumbura Monday, shouting at police, who have for days blocked roads to prevent demonstrators from moving into the centre of the city.
"I am killed by Nkurunziza!" one screamed, as he was taken to hospital with bullet wound in his shoulder.
One group however broke through and reached the centre, the first time they have managed to do so since protests began, but were chased out by police.
Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005. His supporters, however, say he is eligible to run again, since his first term in office followed his election by parliament -- not directly by the people as the constitution specifies.
AFP
