This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/10458425.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Burundi ex-rebel admits fleeing | Burundi ex-rebel admits fleeing |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Agathon Rwasa led the FNL to lay down their arms last year | Agathon Rwasa led the FNL to lay down their arms last year |
Burundi's main opposition leader and former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa has confirmed that he has gone into hiding. | Burundi's main opposition leader and former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa has confirmed that he has gone into hiding. |
In a taped message sent to a local radio station, Mr Rwasa said he had fled because he feared for his safety. | In a taped message sent to a local radio station, Mr Rwasa said he had fled because he feared for his safety. |
He went missing a week ago, ahead of Monday's presidential elections won by incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza - the only candidate. | |
The election was the second major vote since the end of the country's brutal 12-year ethnic-based civil war. | The election was the second major vote since the end of the country's brutal 12-year ethnic-based civil war. |
Diplomats have warned that the country is still in danger of slipping back into conflict. | Diplomats have warned that the country is still in danger of slipping back into conflict. |
Correspondents say turnout seemer lower in Monday's poll compared to local elections last month. | |
A group of 12 opposition parties claimed those polls were rigged and pulled out of the presidential ballot. | |
The election commission said that about 92% of the votes in Monday's presidential ballot were in Mr Nkurunziza's favour and turnout was 76%. | |
Mr Rwasa, who signed a peace deal last year to lay down his arms, did not say where he was, although he is reported to be in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. | Mr Rwasa, who signed a peace deal last year to lay down his arms, did not say where he was, although he is reported to be in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. |
When he first went missing, his party said he was "on holiday". | When he first went missing, his party said he was "on holiday". |
"They're looking for me because I told the truth, because I said publicly that I don't accept the results of the local elections," AFP news agency quotes Mr Rwasa saying in the radio broadcast. | "They're looking for me because I told the truth, because I said publicly that I don't accept the results of the local elections," AFP news agency quotes Mr Rwasa saying in the radio broadcast. |
"[Last] Wednesday they wanted to arrest me again. I got wind of it and I disappeared from circulation," he said. | "[Last] Wednesday they wanted to arrest me again. I got wind of it and I disappeared from circulation," he said. |
Both President Nkurunziza and Mr Rwasa led mainly Hutu rebel groups fighting against the army which was dominated by the Tutsi minority during the civil war. | Both President Nkurunziza and Mr Rwasa led mainly Hutu rebel groups fighting against the army which was dominated by the Tutsi minority during the civil war. |
Mr Rwasa refused to end the fighting when other warring factions set up a power-sharing government followed by elections in 2005. | Mr Rwasa refused to end the fighting when other warring factions set up a power-sharing government followed by elections in 2005. |
He only led his National Liberation Forces (FNL) in disarming in April 2009 and was widely thought to be the key challenger to President Nkurunziza. | He only led his National Liberation Forces (FNL) in disarming in April 2009 and was widely thought to be the key challenger to President Nkurunziza. |
An estimated 300,000 people are believed to have died during the civil war. | An estimated 300,000 people are believed to have died during the civil war. |
Previous version
1
Next version