#BURUNDI: Environment Minister Assassinated

Burundi's environment minister has been shot dead while on his way home on New Year's Eve.
Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, was killed at about 00:45 local time by "a criminal with a gun," a police spokesman tweeted. A woman who was with Mr Niyonkuru had been detained for questioning, say police. Pres. Pierre Nkurunziza said the crime would not go unpunished. Hundreds, including high-ranking army officials, have been killed in unrest since Nkurunziza ran for a third term in 2015, a move opponents say was unconstitutional.

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#BURUNDI: Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly To Leave Int'l Criminal Court

[world politics news]

Burundi's parliament has voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, a move no other country has taken despite complaints from Africa that the court disproportionately targets the continent. Only two lawmakers voted in favor of staying under the jurisdiction of the Dutch-based ICC, while 94 voted to leave. Pro-government lawmaker Gabriel Ntisezerana said the court was "a political tool used by powers to remove whoever they want from power on the African continent." It now moves to the upper house for approval.

#BURUNDI: Gov't Expels Belgians As Political Violence Escalates; Church Attacked

[world politics news]

The day after Belgium suggested its "non-essential" citizens should leave Burundi, the Burundian government said ALL of them should leave. Unrest began in April when Pres. Pierre Nkurunziza said he'd seek a third term. Burundi says Belgium, its former colonial power, has links to opposition groups.

Related: Burundian police shoot up a church, and have arrested a minister who has spoken out against violence.

#BURUNDI: Pres. Nkurunziza Wins Third Term After Oppo. Parties Boycott Election

[world politics news]

Pres. Pierre Nkurunziza has won a third term, winning 69% of the vote. Opposition parties boycotted the elections, leaving former general Agathon Rwasa, who took 19% of the vote, as Nkurunziza’s only opponent. Rwasa's called for the formation of a national unity government with several opposition parties to prevent a possible coup attempt.

#BURUNDI: Tens Of Thousands Flee Election-Related Violence

[world politics news]

Tens of thousands refugees fled Burundi ahead of parliamentary elections this past week. Pres. Nkurunziza, who has been in office since 2005, is now seeking a third term in a July 15 election but had been warned that it would be widely viewed as unconstitutional. Nearly 144,000 have fled to neighboring countries since political turmoil began in April.

(Photo: UN Refugee Agency)

#BURUNDI: Coup Attempt After Pres. Announces 3rd Term Bid; Promise Not To Seek Ended 2005 Civil War

[world politics news]

President Pierre Nkurunziza has returned to the capital after a failed coup attempt. He was in Tanzania when military leaders moved against his bid for a third term Wednesday. A promise not to seek a third term was a key reason a civil war ended in 2005.