Burundian opposition demands inquiry into leader's death

Burundi's opposition party Union for Peace and Democracy (UPD-Zigamibanga) has urged the government to carry out an independent inquiry into the death of its leader Zed Ferusi who was assassinated on Saturday night near his home in Bujumbura, Media reported on Monday.

"UPD-Zigamibanga urges the Burundi government to institute an independent inquiry into this appalling assassination to identify the real perpetrators and halt the spiralling violence in Burundi," interim party leader Chauvineau Murwengezo said in a press statement on Sunday.

He also urged the international community to get more involved in the search for a solution to Burundi's crisis, according to Xinhua news agency.

Burundi's deputy police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said on Sunday that investigations into the assassination of the opposition leader had already been launched.

He denied rumours alleging that Ferusi was killed by security forces, insisting that at the time of the assassination, there were no police officers within the vicinity.

Ferusi's assassination occurred within a political context characterised by polarisation and radicalisation of the Burundian political class over the contested third term bid by President Pierre Nkurunziza.

According to UPD-Zigamibanga, Nkurunziza's candidature in the June 26 presidential elections is "illegal".