BUJUMBURA: Police in Burundi shot dead at least four demonstrators and wounded dozens of others on Monday, in running battles with protesters angry at a bid by President Pierre Nku­runziza to extend his rule.

The deaths, which leading human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa confirm­ed, brought the death toll in more than a week of protests to at least 13, including two soldiers and a policeman.

The country has been rocked by violent protests since the ruling party designated Nkuru­nzi­za, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian from the Hutu majority, as its candidate in a presidential vote due to be held on June 26.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2015

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