Burundi's President Urges National Unity After Winning Contentious Elections
Associated Press July 31, 2015
11:59 a.m. EDT
BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Burundi's re-elected president is urging unity after winning contentious polls that the international community says were not credible.
In a televised speech Thursday night, Pierre Nkurunziza said he would be a president for all, including those who did not vote for him.
He said that during his presidency "everyone will enjoy the same rights and opportunities without favoritism."
Nkurunziza won 69 percent of the vote while his closest rival, Agathon Rwasa, got 19 percent in the July 21 elections.
The elections took place amid violence stemming from regular street protests against Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office, which many saw as unconstitutional.
The U.N. had urged Burundi's government to delay the elections until the situation was sufficiently calm to hold credible, free and fair elections.
11:59 a.m. EDT
BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Burundi's re-elected president is urging unity after winning contentious polls that the international community says were not credible.
In a televised speech Thursday night, Pierre Nkurunziza said he would be a president for all, including those who did not vote for him.
He said that during his presidency "everyone will enjoy the same rights and opportunities without favoritism."
Nkurunziza won 69 percent of the vote while his closest rival, Agathon Rwasa, got 19 percent in the July 21 elections.
The elections took place amid violence stemming from regular street protests against Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office, which many saw as unconstitutional.
The U.N. had urged Burundi's government to delay the elections until the situation was sufficiently calm to hold credible, free and fair elections.
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