Burundi Presidential Elections

In the seaside cafes of Beirut, the whole thing looks "like a bad joke." To persecuted journalists in Burundi, it amounts to "a total loss of dignity." The government-scripted press of Beijing diagnoses "an empire moving downhill." And the spin doctors of the Kremlin see cause for pure and unambiguous delight.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is set to win a controversial third term in office, but analysts say his victory will be hollow, with the country divided, isolated and facing aid cuts.

Explosions and gunfire were heard late Monday in Burundi's capital Bujumbura, hours before polls were due to open in a divisive presidential election, in which Pierre Nkurunziza's is seeking a controversial third term.

On the eve of highly-charged elections, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the government of Burundi to ensure that voting takes place in a secure environment.

A demonstrator was shot dead and two others wounded in southern Burundi on Monday, a local official and witness said, in one of the first confirmed reports of civil unrest erupting outside the capital Bujumbura.

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza filed his candidacy to run for a third term on Friday, saying elections will "go well" despite days of deadly protests at his controversial bid.

Togo voted on Saturday in an election expected to give President Faure Gnassingbe a third term in office that could extend his family's grip on power to more than half a century.

In the seaside cafes of Beirut, the whole thing looks "like a bad joke." To persecuted journalists in Burundi, it amounts to "a total loss of dignity." The government-scripted press of Beijing diagnoses "an empire moving downhill." And the spin doctors of the Kremlin see cause for pure and unambiguous delight.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is set to win a controversial third term in office, but analysts say his victory will be hollow, with the country divided, isolated and facing aid cuts.

Explosions and gunfire were heard late Monday in Burundi's capital Bujumbura, hours before polls were due to open in a divisive presidential election, in which Pierre Nkurunziza's is seeking a controversial third term.

On the eve of highly-charged elections, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the government of Burundi to ensure that voting takes place in a secure environment.

A demonstrator was shot dead and two others wounded in southern Burundi on Monday, a local official and witness said, in one of the first confirmed reports of civil unrest erupting outside the capital Bujumbura.

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza filed his candidacy to run for a third term on Friday, saying elections will "go well" despite days of deadly protests at his controversial bid.

Togo voted on Saturday in an election expected to give President Faure Gnassingbe a third term in office that could extend his family's grip on power to more than half a century.