Burundi opposition to boycott elections they predict won't be fair
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - An opposition demonstrator beats a drum as they sing songs against a third term for President Nkurunziza, in the Musaga neighborhood of the capital Bujumbura, in Burundi Thursday, June 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Gildas Ngingo)
An opposition leader in Burundi says a group of 17 political parties have agreed to boycott elections because they don't believe they will be free and fair.
Frederic Bamvuginyumvira, deputy head of a party known by its initials as FRODEBU, said Thursday that opposition parties also are opposed to the current electoral commission because it is not complete after two of its five members fled.
Burundi has been rocked by unrest since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his plans to run for a third term.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Talks between the government and the opposition appear to have stalled, with opposition leaders and civic groups rejecting U.N. envoy Said Djinnit, who had been facilitating the talks.
In a statement Thursday, Djinnit signaled he was quitting but urged the parties to continue their dialogue.