Burundi Referendum On May 17 For Extending Presidential Terms

May 17 may alter the fate of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has announced the day for a referendum in the country to extend his rule by about a decade.

Burundi has been unstable since 2015 when both the terms for Nkurunziza ended as president and he declined to step down even amid the loud voice of opponents that his continuation was unconstitutional.

Now the referendum is to decide whether Nkurunziza’s presidential terms could be extended from five years to seven years.

If at least fifty percent plus one vote favors the proposal, the draft constitution would be adopted and the term of president to end in seven years.

The political disturbance in past few years resulted with violence and left hundreds of people dead. About 400,000 people were sent to exile too.

The efforts of neighboring countries to bring peace in Burundi resulted with any fruitful resolution and conflicts have continued.

Lately, the ruling party CNDD-FDD decided to title Nkurunziza as “CNDD-FDD Party Visionary” for his appraising ideas and teachings to fellow partymen.

However, the opponents points out the title is aimed as shoring up support for Nkurunziza before the May 17 referendum.