Burundi delays parliamentary elections after protests

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has delayed by a week local and parliamentary elections set for May 26, after nearly a month of political unrest and a failed military coup in the east African state, his adviser has said.

Nkurunziza made the decision after a recommendation by the election commission and following requests from opposition politicians and the international community for a postponement, Willy Nyamitwe told Reuters news agency on Wednesday.

Following a now daily pattern of street protests against Nkurunziza, demonstrators gathered on Wednesday and called for the president not to seek a third term.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa reporting from the capital, Bujumbura said “protesters have put up more barricades, and now they are stopping cars driving through their neighbourhoods”.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, at least eight people were arrested as the police tried to disperse a demonstration leading to some protesters to respond by throwing rocks at police ranks.

Earlier on Tuesday, South African President Jacob Zuma said presidential elections scheduled for June 26 in the landlocked country should be postponed indefinitely until political stability returns.

He was speaking at a summit in Angola that was convened after last week’s failed coup attempt.

President Nkurunziza on Monday dismissed his defence and foreign ministers after last week’s failed military coup, a presidential spokesperson said.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also urged Nkurunziza to postpone the presidential election.