Events summary:
- May 13th 2015 – Failed coup that left more than 70 killed led by Leonard Ngendakumana
- On Monday 29th June the Burundians voted to elect 15 councilors and 100 members of parliament
- Grenade attacks marks the start of the controversial Burundi’s polls
- Over 145,000 people flee the country into the neighboring countries
- Opposition threatened to boycott elections by default giving the president an assured win
- Armed clashes in the northern part being experienced
Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza despite an assured win in the July 21st elections may be encountered with an even bigger problem than the attempted coup. This has been brought about by an emergence of an armed rebellion mobilized by General Leonard Ngendakumana (failed coup leader).
Burundi has been marred by protests, grenade attacks in Bujumbura as well as armed clashes in the northern region. This comes shortly after Ngendakumana announced that he is mobilizing troops that still loyal to him to use force to ensure Nkurunziza doesn’t ascend to power.
President Nkurunziza has been advised to abandon his quest for a third term to save the country that is only recovering from civil war but the rebel-turned-president is adamant citing a court ruling that allowed him to run for a third term.
According to Ngendakumana, “Political intervention to influence Nkurunziza to end his campaign for a third term failed, the only way to reach this objective is to use force.” Despite the threat, the president said that the insurgency will be met with the full force of the defense and security forces.
Forecast:
The possible insurgencies in the very combustible region of Africa with history of ethnical clashes could cause major instability not only to Burundi but her neighbors.
The number of refugees streaming into the neighboring countries could offset their stability that is also healing from ethnic conflicts. This could drag the countries into unnecessary crises.
