Burundi government has suspended 10 civil society groups, accusing them of organising protests and contributing to the country’s growing instability.

The turmoil in the country was sparked by a decision by President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term in a disputed July vote.

Terence Ntahiraja, the permanent secretary in the interior ministry, speaking to Reuters on phone said 10 groups, most of them led by prominent civil rights defenders who fled into exile, were found to have been supporting trouble makers.

“Activities of the named associations are temporarily suspended until they are cleared of charges,” read a statement from the Burundi’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Among the groups suspend is APRODH (Association for the Protection of Human Right and Detained Persons), led by Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, who survived an assassination attempt in August. Others include FOCODE led by Pacifique Nininahazwe, and FORSC that is chaired by Vital Nshimirimana.

The groups, which led the protests against Nkurunziza's bid for a third term of office, had earlier seen their bank accounts, and those of their leaders, frozen by Prosecutor General Valentine Bagorikunda.

The United States sanctioned two government leaders and two alleged plotters of an unsuccessful coup in May, over ongoing violence in the country.

Various vigilante units have been formed, and more than 200 people have been killed in violence since April.