Coronavirus: Thousands Gather for Burundi Campaign Rally

Thousands of supporters of Burundi's ruling party gather for an election campaign rally in Gitega, Monday, April 27. Burundi's presidential election is scheduled for May 20 despite the coronavirus pandemic. Opposition groups accused President Pierre Nkurunziza’s administration of being irresponsible for not delaying the election. Seven candidates launched campaigns Monday, with large rallies that are off limits in other parts of Africa, where governments are mandating that people practice social distancing to curtail the spread of the virus. Nkurunziza, who is stepping down from power and is apparently shunning measures to slow the spread of the virus, told supporters at a large rally Monday that he is backing General Evariste Ndayishimiye, the presidential candidate backed by the ruling party, National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD). Nkurunziza's 15-year tenure has been marred by controversy, including his 2015 decision to seek a third term, which resulted in a deadly civil uprising. Burundi has confirmed only one death and 15 COVID-19 cases. https://www.voanews.com/africa/burundi-moves-ahead-may-election-amid-coronavirus-outbreak

Category