[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”4/6″][vc_custom_heading text=”TIMELINE OF BURUNDI’S DESCENT INTO CRISIS” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd0000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][icon_timeline timeline_style=”jstime”][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 25, 2015:” title_font_color=”#00a508″]Pierre Nkurunziza is declared candidate for a third term by the ruling CNDD-FDD party.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 26, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]Thousands of Burundians demonstrate in the capital, Bujumbura[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 27, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]The head of the main human rights association in Burundi, Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, is arrested and held for 30 hours a fierce response from police.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 2, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]Burundi’s security minister, General Gabriel Nizigama accuses the protesters of providing cover for a “terrorist enterprise” and vows to crack down on what he calls “criminals, terrorists and even enemies of the country.”[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 5, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]Six out of seven in Burundi’s Constitutional Court rule that Pierre Nkurunziza is eligible to run for a third term as President.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 7, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]The African Union cautions that the environment in Burundi is not conducive for an election, as demonstrations marks the 12th day between with police and the Imbonerakure, members of the ruling party.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 8, 2015:” title_font_color=”#1a9100″]At least 18 people killed in clashes since Pierre Nkurunziza’s nomination to seek re-election on April 25.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”May 13, 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Major General Godefroid Niyombare announces the overthrow of President Nkurunziza hours after the he flies to neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on how to end the Burundi crisis. The coup leaders surrender two days later and Nkurunziza returns to the country.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”June 28, 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Pie Ntavyohanyuma, the head of Burundi’s parliament flees to Belgium a day before elections are announced by Nkurunziza, joining the list of opposition leaders, journalists, members of civil society, and some members of the ruling party who had fled into exile.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”July 21, 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Nkurunziza is re-elected in a vote boycotted by the opposition.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”August 2, 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]General Adolphe Nshimirimana is killed in a rocket attack.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”August 3 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Human rights activist Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, who had publicly opposed Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, is wounded by gunfire.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”August 15 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]The former head of the Burundi army during the 13-year civil war, Colonel Jean Bikomagu, is assassinated.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”December 11 2015:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]At least 87 people are killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen on three military sites that trigger a fierce riposte from the security forces.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”July 29, 2016:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]UN Security Council agrees to deploy up to 228 UN police in Burundi, but in early August the government in Bujumbura rejects the resolution.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”September 20 2016:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]UN investigators say Burundi’s government is behind systematic human rights violations, warning of the looming risk of “genocide”.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”October 27 2016:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Burundi announces its withdrawal from the ICC.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”December 30 2016:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Nkurunziza hints he might seek a fourth term in office in 2020 if the people request it.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”January 19, 2017:” title_font_color=”#f15800″]Human Rights Watch says young men belonging to Burundi’s ruling party are waging brutal attacks on perceived opponents.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”April 18, 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein condemns youth calling for the rape and murder of opposition supporters.[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”September 4, 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd3333″]

United Nations calls for the opening of an ICC investigation into crimes against humanity in Burundi.

[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”September 29, 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]

United Nations resolves to extend the mission of an international investigation into atrocities in Burundi irrespective of strong opposition from the government.

[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”October 26 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]

Government approves changes to the constitution that supports a 14-year extension to Nkurunziza’s stay in office.

[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”October 27 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]

Burundi’s withdrawal from the ICC becomes effective.

[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”November 9 2017:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]

The International Criminal Court authorizes an investigation to be opened in the Burundi situation. The Court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed in Burundi up to October 26, 2017 irrespective of Burundi’s withdrawal.

[/icon_timeline_item][icon_timeline_item time_title=”February 2018:” title_font_color=”#dd0000″]

UNHCR reports that 428,000 refugees have fled Burundi into neighbouring countries.

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