Said Djinnit, UN envoy to Burundi crisis, stepped down as mediator

Said Djinnit, the United Nations (UN) envoy to Burundi crisis, stepped down from his role as mediator of the crisis on 11 June 2015.

He stepped down following requests of the opposition parties, who accused him of being biased and demanded a new UN mediator for the crisis.

The Burundi crisis was triggered after President Pierre Nkurunziza bid for a third-term.

However, Djinit will remain engaged with Burundi as part of his role of UN special envoy to the Great Lakes region. The region comprises of nations surrounding African Great Lakes namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Burundi crisis
Burundi’s political crisis started on 25 April 2015 after President Nkurunziza (in power since 2005) announced that he will run for a third term in the upcoming elections. He announced his willingness to run for the elections, despite warnings at home and abroad.

This bid for election led to clashes between protestors and police leading to death of at least 30 people.

According to opponents, Nkurunziza's decision violates the constitution that limits the president to two terms in office.

On the other hand, supporters say that first term of Nkurunziza doesn’t counts as he was not elected by people, but was appointed by the Parliament.

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