The chairperson of the African Union Commission has said Burundi should consider postponing elections scheduled for May and June until it deals with the political instability currently gripping the country.

With more than a dozen people killed in protests against a third term for President Pierre Nkurunziza, and with almost 40,000 people fleeing into neighbouring countries, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told CCTV television channel in Addis Ababa that conditions could not allow a meaningful election.

“What type of election is going to take place under these conditions? As the AU we were planning to send long-term observers but we can’t now. We cannot. Because the environment is not conducive for an election,” Ms Zuma told the Chinese television station.

“You can’t be going to a country meeting refugees leaving and saying we are gong to observe the elections. As things stand I don’t even see how elections can take place under these conditions.”

In an interview on Wednesday opposition leader Agathon Rwasa told Nation Media Group in Bujumbura that a meaningful election could not be held while protests rocked the country.

“Due to the current situation, obviously, I don’t see the possibility of holding elections in a tensed mood like this one,” Mr Rwasa, a former rebel commander of the National Liberation Front (Forces pour la Libération Nationale, FNL), said.

“I think we have to postpone some scheduled elections, like these ones of May, because no one is preparing, except of course the President and the ruling party.”

Protests continue

Meanwhile, three people were killed and scores others injured as protests continued on Thursday.

Police opened fire on demonstrators in the Kinama district of the capital, Bujumbura, fatally shooting one in the head and injuring three others. The protestors had earlier clashed with suspected members of a pro-government militia, the Imbonerakure.

East African heads of state are scheduled to meet on May 13th in Dar es Salaam to try and resolve the political crisis in Burundi.

More than a dozen people have now been killed since the protests broke out almost two weeks ago. Clashes between the police and protestors have been reported in several other parts of Bujumbura, hours after President Nkurunziza said in a statement that he would stand for re-election.

Tensions remain high in several neighbourhoods, with protestors armed with sticks and batons facing off with police with tear-gas guns and rifles.

There was no immediate comment from the government but in a statement on Wednesday night President Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term in office and called for election bodies to continue with their preparations.

“We announce to all affected closely by elections that steps have been taken to enable a peaceful conduct of the election campaign. We once again reassure the national and international community that the electoral process will be free, transparent, inclusive and in a peaceful climate,” the President said in a statement issued in French.