Bujumbura, 27 Apr.- The United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees,UNHCR, informed today that more than 20 thousand burundis arrived in Rwanda fleeing the pre electoral violence taking place there.
Over 20,408 Burundians have poured into neighbouring Rwanda as unrest continues to escalate over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office.
He revealed his intentions to run for another term although under the constitution, presidents in Burundi can only be elected to two terms in office.
Although his allies say his first term does not count since he was appointed by parliament, hundreds of protesters have taken to the street to express their anger, while members of the opposition have warned that the country could head back to the historical days of ethnic tensions.
Following unrest that escalated over the weekend, were five people were reportedly killed, more refugees fled into Rwanda and have now surged to 20,000, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs of Ruanda.
The government and the UNHCR have set up a camp at the border town of Mahama, which can accommodate up to 50,000 refugees.
