Burundi Journalists Gather after Radio Stations Shut

Journalists in Burundi held a sombre gathering Sunday to mark World Press Freedom Day, after a week of political violence that has also seen radio stations shut down.

"It's a sad day for the Burundian press because radio stations are closed, journalists are jailed," said Antoine Kabuhare, head of an independent media rights group.

"It's a sad day for anyone who believes in democracy and freedom of expression, and it's sad to hear messages of hate," he said at a gathering of journalists outside a media hub which authorities have shut down.

At least 10 people have died and scores more have been hurt since the political unrest broke out in the central African nation last weekend.

Nearly 600 people have also been arrested, according to police.

The unrest erupted after the ruling CNDD-FDD party designated President Pierre Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born-again Christian from the Hutu majority, as its candidate in presidential elections due to be held on June 26.

Opposition figures and rights groups say Nkurunziza's attempt to stand for a third consecutive term violates the constitution as well as a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2006.

Nkurunziza has been in power since 2005. His supporters, however, say he is eligible to run again, since his first term in office followed his election by parliament -- not directly by the people as the constitution specifies.