Some residents fled their neighborhood in Burundi's capital on Thursday after they found four bodies on the streets, part of a wave of killings associated with President Pierre Nkurunziza's re-election for a third term, according to AP. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that at least 198 people have been killed in Burundi since late April, when Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term in office that was opposed locally and internationally. "I have to flee. The one who is supposed to protect us is killing us," said a resident who identified herself only as Marrianne, referring to the security forces. The four deaths raises to 13 people killed since Saturday. Nkurunziza's successful bid for a third term sparked violent street protests and a failed coup. More than 200,000 people have fled the Central African country as a result. It appears Nkurunziza's supporters and opponents are killing each other on one hand and the security forces are killing opposition members. A former intelligence chief who was a staunch ally of Nkurunziza is among the victims, but many of those killed have been ordinary Burundians whose bodies were dumped far from where they lived. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday that "the United States is alarmed by the escalating violence in Burundi and dangerous, irresponsible rhetoric on the part of the government, loyalist militias, violent anti-government forces and criminal elements." She said the U.S. is extremely concerned that a five-day ultimatum issued by the president on Nov. 2 for having security forces search homes for weapons and opposition figures "will trigger widespread violence beginning this coming weekend." Power accused government officials including the Senate president of using "incendiary and divisive speech" and warned that coupled with the widespread security crackdown, this risked inciting even greater violence. She urged the government to allow "immediate, unfettered access for African Union human rights and security monitors." U.S. President Barack Obama said last week that Burundi isn't making enough progress toward establishing rule of law and will be removed from a U.S. trade preference program for African countries. In a letter to lawmakers, Obama cites a worsening crackdown on opposition members, including assassinations, by Burundi's government as the basis for his decision to delist the country on Jan. 1.
