March 2024

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Ever since Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza was sworn in for a third term, the small African nation has been in political unrest. A coalition of political parties was formed to oppose the third term, which it believes is illegal. Many parties boycotted the parliamentary elections. The government blamed the opposition for causing violence and instability in the country – at least 100 people have in protests since April and tens of thousands of people fled the country this year. In May, the leader of an important opposition party, Zedi Feruzi, was killed. Now the party is suffering from another loss.

A deadly attack

Police state that Patrice Gahungu, from the Union for Peace and Development political party, was shot dead in Bujumbura. The Union for Peace and Development, or UPD, is part of the coalition of opposition parties. Gahungu was targeted by unidentified gunmen as he drove home late on Monday.  

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Tensions have gotten even worse

Gahungu was an important spokesman for the opposition. Two other people were killed in the attack, but the police has not identified the victims yet. After Feruzi was killed in May, protesters demonstrated outside the party headquarters. This latest tragedy has made the political tensions even worse.

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SEE ALSO: 9 African Presidents Who Left Power Peacefully.