HUNDREDS of protesters rallied on the streets of Burundi’s capital Bujumbura yesterday, starting a second week of demonstrations demanding that President Pierre Nkurunziza abandon his bid for a third term in office.

At least six people have been killed in unrest since Mr Nkurunziza announced on April 25 that he would stand in a June election. The government calls the protests illegal and an “insurrection,” but opponents retort that what would be illegal is a third term for the president.

Demonstrators have erected makeshift roadblocks and set fire to tyres in several suburbs of the capital, often scuffling with police officers who have fired tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition at them.

The army has been deployed by the government to “restore calm.”

“Please, Nkurunziza, give up the third term so that peace returns in the country,” demonstrators shouted in the Kinindo suburb.

Hundreds more protested in the capital’s Nyakabiga and Musaga suburbs.