Burundi: Thousands protest in support of embattled leader

Thousands of people took part in street protests across Burundi in support of the government’s opposition to the UN investigators who are looking into alleged human rights abuses in the east African country.

On Saturday In the capital Bujumbura, protests were led by an ally of Nkurunziza Mayor Freddy Mbonimpa. There were similar protests in more than 100 areas.

“The first issue is to denounce the role Belgium played during the last time, it hosts the people who organized the demonstrations, the people who planned a coup against the state,” he said.

Burundi has been at loggerheads with the international community over alleged atrocities by its security agencies.

“The second thing is to denounce the appointment of three experts who have been appointed by the President of human rights at the United Nations, who are expected to come here and conduct the investigations,” Mbonimpa added.

Sporadic political violence has plagued Burundi since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office amid significant opposition.

#Burundi :Thousands marching in the streets of #Bujumbura to protest against the appointment of 3 experts by ONU_fr . pic.twitter.com/3m5flcgapI

— NYAMWERU Anicet (NyamweruAnicet) November 26, 2016

Hundreds of people have been killed, the UN also is investigating reports of torture and rape.