lklv  kriel burundi protesters clash with police_00013622.jpg
Burundi protesters clash with police
02:06 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

President Pierre Nkurunziza implores "patriotic citizens" to donate to election

Critics say a third term by him is prohibited by a peace accord that ended the 1993-2003 civil war

CNN  — 

As protests and sporadic violence continue to roil his country, Burundi’s President has pushed back the parliamentary and local council elections by one week, to June 6, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday.

In a statement, President Pierre Nkurunziza said he has resorted to donations after the international community withdrew its support.

“The government invites the patriotic citizens convinced of this noble principle to make a voluntary contribution to support the efforts that are already made by the friends of Burundi,” the government said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

It included a bank account number to send the donations.

Scores have died in Burundi since Nkurunziza said he will run for a third term, which would extend his decade in office by five more years.

Protesters determined to prevent his candidacy have taken to the streets in the capital and have been met with deadly force by police.

More than 110,000 people have fled to neighboring nations, according to the United Nations, amid fears Burundi will return to a conflict similar to the civil war that left 300,000 people dead.

Attempts to overthrow the President failed this month, but protests continue in the capital of Bujumbura, and so do fears of more violence.

The presidential election is scheduled for June 26.

The small, lush nation in central Africa has a population of almost 10.4 million.

CNN’s Catherine Shoichet contributed to this report.