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Voices From Burundi: Share Your Experiences Voices From Burundi
(25 days later)
Burundians describe lives under siege: self-imposed curfews, a local news media blackout, fears of being jailed or shot, and worries that their country, haunted by memories of a devastating civil war, is veering toward economic collapse. Few voters apparently went to the polls in Burundi on Tuesday in a presidential election that is widely expected to give President Pierre Nkurunziza a controversial third term.
Nearly 70 people have died and hundreds have been injured since President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement on April 25 that he would run for a third term. Months of protests and a failed coup attempt have led more than 127,000 people to flee to neighboring countries. Since his announcement on April 25 that he would run again, in defiance of international pressure and opposition at home, Burundians have held protests, edured curfews, experienced a local news media blackout and witnessed a failed coup attempt.
With legislative elections scheduled for Monday and presidential elections for July 15, The New York Times has been asking Burundians how the upheaval is affecting them. The following is a selection of experiences, edited and condensed for clarity. Nearly 70 people have died and hundreds have been injured, and more than 170,000 people have fled since April to neighboring countries.
Before the vote Tuesday, and prior to legislative elections in June, The New York Times asked Burundians how the upheaval has affected them. Following is a selection of experiences, edited and condensed for clarity.
Merlo Lokaze, 25, thought he would never participate in any form of political protest. But when he heard the president’s decision to run for a third term, tears started streaming down his face.
Jean Mugisha, a 40-year-old teacher living in Bujumbura, says that the governing party still has his support and that the turmoil, which he calls a “show,” is just a “play by the opposition” to weaken the government.
Ketty Nivyabandi, 36, a poet, led an all-female street movement in the capital, Bujumbura, after Mr. Nkurunziza announced his plans to run for a third term.Ketty Nivyabandi, 36, a poet, led an all-female street movement in the capital, Bujumbura, after Mr. Nkurunziza announced his plans to run for a third term.
Ms. Nivyabandi and other activists turned off their phones out of fear that the government was monitoring them. Mobile access to social networks like WhatsApp and Facebook was temporarily blocked. Ms. Nivyabandi said the protesters were in danger of being branded coup supporters.Ms. Nivyabandi and other activists turned off their phones out of fear that the government was monitoring them. Mobile access to social networks like WhatsApp and Facebook was temporarily blocked. Ms. Nivyabandi said the protesters were in danger of being branded coup supporters.
Dennis Karera, 33, is the head of the Imbonerakure, the governing party’s youth wing, which has been accused of much of the brutality surrounding the crisis.Dennis Karera, 33, is the head of the Imbonerakure, the governing party’s youth wing, which has been accused of much of the brutality surrounding the crisis.
Peter Nsengigumva, 27, is a student protester at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura, where he says the number of demonstrators has dwindled because of fear of police brutality.Peter Nsengigumva, 27, is a student protester at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura, where he says the number of demonstrators has dwindled because of fear of police brutality.
Teddy Mazina, 43, is a freelance journalist and photographer documenting human rights violations in Burundi.Teddy Mazina, 43, is a freelance journalist and photographer documenting human rights violations in Burundi.
A young woman working at a development organization based in the capital spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution for publicly criticizing the government. She described self-imposed neighborhood curfews and an economic paralysis that is affecting her family’s ability to buy food and continue working.A young woman working at a development organization based in the capital spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution for publicly criticizing the government. She described self-imposed neighborhood curfews and an economic paralysis that is affecting her family’s ability to buy food and continue working.