Group says Burundians don’t want presidential term limits

BUJUMBURA, Burundi – A government-backed commission in Burundi says the majority of Burundians want presidential term limits removed from the country’s constitution.

The Inter-Burundi Dialogue Commission was set up last year by President Pierre Nkurunziza to find a lasting political solution to the crisis over the president’s pursuit of a third term beyond the two-term limit.

Nkurunziza eventually won re-election last year despite widespread protests against him running for a third time.

The commission’s chairman, Justin Nzoyisaba, told reporters on Wednesday that the findings reflected the views of people from 49 of the country’s 119 districts.

At least 500 people have died in Burundi since April 2015, when Nkurunziza launched his campaign for a third term that many called unconstitutional.