A NIGER Delta based non–governmental organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has condemned the repressive regime of President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi which has resulted in the killings of civilians, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and the closure of media houses, ahead of the forthcoming general polls.

The NGO called on African Union to intervene urgently in the political impasse over moves by  Nkurunziza to run for a third term and address the tradition of impunity that has reigned for long in Burundi.

The Center stated that  Nkurunziza tyrannical administration has greatly hindered the promotion and protection of rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, among others.

This was contained in a statement signed by CEPEJ’s National Coordinator/CEO, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, urging the Burundians authorities to uphold the rights of the people to free expression and peaceful assembly and called on International criminal court (ICC) and African Union (AU) to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the human rights abuses so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.